Comer Children’s Donation Wish Lists and Guidelines
Comer Cheer is Here
We invite you to support the Child Life and Family Education program by donating items or by making a financial contribution to support the programs, services and supplies that brighten children’s stays. To bring holiday cheer to every patient at Comer Children’s, and sustain this spirit into the New Year, we will need compassion and generosity from all of our supporters and community members. Each gift will make a difference in the life of a child while undergoing medical care this year.
Stay Informed: Letter of Intention and More Information
Ways to Give: Wish List and Donation Guidelines Summary
Hospital Donation Wish Lists
Visit our Amazon wish lists to choose from a selection of toys, books and other gift items appropriate for patients at Comer Children's. Items purchased from this list will ship directly to the hospital.
Comer Child Life Amazon wish lists by age group:
57th Street Books
Your purchase of a gift card in any denomination will provide a selection of books to Comer Children’s Hospital. Purchase your gift cards online from November 1 through December 21.
Toys et Cetera
Use coupon code COMER for 20% off any toy purchased that is donated to Comer Children’s. Shop online, by phone (773-324-6039) or in store (1502 E. 55th Street, Hyde Park). Enter “Local Pickup” as the shipping option for online orders and include “Comer Donation” in the notes.
- Small LEGO kits
- Infant/toddler toys (plastic)
- Medical play kits
- Art supplies and craft kits (non-toxic)
- Play-Doh party packs
- Non-violent action figures
- Diverse Barbies/dolls
- Board books
- Picture books
- Matchbox cars
- UNO cards
- Popular board games (e.g, Sorry, Connect 4, Monopoly, CandyLand)
- Gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Target, Walmart)
This is an area of high need, as more than 50 percent of our patients are under age 3.
- All plastic toys (birth to 36 months)
- Chunky toddler cars
- Fisher-Price Rainforest Peek-a-Boo Soother, Waterfall
- Graco Sweet Slumber Sound Machines
- Musical and light up toys
- My First Crayola MessFree 2-in-1-Doodle Board (ages 2 and up)
- One-piece toys such as Infantino activity triangles, Fisher-Price pop-up toys
- Stacking cups
- Teethers and rattles
- Action figures (non-violent): Spiderman, Batman, Superman
- African-American baby dolls & Barbies (all plastic)
- Animals and dinosaurs
- Bubble tumblers (no spill containers)
- Picture books
- Small Lego kits
- Thomas the Train, Frozen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Paw Patrol items
- Fun socks and slippers
- Games: Monopoly, Sorry, Battleship, Scrabble, Connect 4, Clue, Apples to Apples, Bananagrams, Boggle, Trouble (full and travel size)
- Handheld electronic games (i.e. 20 Questions, Connect 4, Battleship)
- Headphones/earbuds
- Journals and scrapbooks
- Gift cards (Amazon, Target)
- Word search puzzle books
- iPads and Kindles
- New release DVD movies (Rated G, PG, PG-13)
- Nintendo Switch game systems and games (Rated E, E10+)
- Batteries – AA, C, D, 9-volt
In order to adhere to Hospital Policy and Best Practice, all toy donations must follow these strict guidelines:
- Brand new (original tags/packaging still on all items)
- Non-violent (no toys with weapons, such as guns or knives)
- Durable, non-toxic and plastic
- Non-denominational
- Not gift wrapped
Due to safety and infection control guidelines, we are unable to accept:
- Homemade items
- Foam toys/puzzles
- Candles
- Food
- Anything breakable (i.e., ceramic, glass)
- Sharp items (nail clippers, metal nail files)
- Anything with Latex
- Small Rubber Balls
- Magnetic Toys
During this unprecedented time, we encourage donations to be made online and shipped directly to our team at the following address:
Comer Children's Hospital
Amy Carter – Child Life K135
5835 S. Cottage Grove Ave. MC8008
Chicago, IL 60637
If you have questions about donations, please reach out to Amy at 773-702-0407.
Generous gifts of cash are an incredible way to make an impact on the needs of the Child Life and Family Education Program at Comer Children's. Checks can be made out to Comer Children’s Hospital Child Life Program and mailed to:
Comer Children’s Hospital
Attn: Amy Carter
Child Life, K-135
5721 S. Maryland Ave., MC 8008
Chicago, IL 60637