In a beautiful reminder that compassion doesn’t need a season, pediatric patients are enjoying the profound impact of a record-setting Christmas in July driven by the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation.
"The outpouring of generosity from our community resulted in $415,000 raised in monetary donations and toys, which will bring comfort and joy for our young patients long after summer ends," St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation President Kate Sawa said.
St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Child Life Supervisor Kacie Webster added, “The donations of toys, games and arts and crafts during Christmas in July help our team provide pediatric patients with prize bin items, treatment milestone gifts, birthday and holiday presents, entertaining bedside activities and much more."
BayCare’s Child Life Specialists are trained professionals who use preparation, therapeutic play, education and self-expression to help children and their families adjust to the hospital experience. They know that spending time in the hospital can be stressful, especially for children.
Depending on their age, hospitalized children may experience fear and anxiety for reasons such as a change to their routine, unfamiliar faces, separation from family and friends, loss of control, misunderstanding about medical equipment and fear of upcoming procedures.
BayCare is Tampa Bay's largest provider of children's health services, and the annual donation drive raises funding for special therapies, activities and toys that help kids cope with being in the hospital.
Christmas in July contributions also help support art, yoga, music and massage therapies at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, which provide an important outlet for kids to express their feelings and better manage stress and anxiety.
The month-long fundraiser ended with grand finale celebrations at
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa and
St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview on July 25. During the events, thousands of gifts were dropped off by members of the community, dozens of corporate partners and BayCare team members.
"With the leadership of our Christmas in July committee and event chair Stacey Aschoff, more people than ever participated in our donation drive and we are so grateful for the overwhelming support," said Sawa.
While the Christmas in July donation drive provides toys and activities for the hospital’s inventory each summer, donations are needed year-round to ensure there is always something fun to offer children of all ages on a difficult day. If you are interested in getting involved, visit
give2stjoeskids.org or contact the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation at 813-872-0979.
Learn more about BayCare’s pediatric services
here.
