A.I DuPont Children’s Hospital Recognizes Tender Hearts

Thanks to organizations like Tender Hearts, we had another very successful year collecting donations and toys to support the families in the hospital! Snowflake Station is a toy shop for families at AIDHC. Open for several days leading up to the Christmas holiday, Snowflake Station provides the opportunity for every inpatient family in the hospital to shop for their child’s holiday presents. This event relieves the financial burden as well as the time needed to purchase and prepare items for children at the holidays. The event provides items that the caregivers choose, provides them snacks while they shop and provides child care during their shopping experience if they have other little ones with them. In 2017, Snowflake station was open for three days, including two evenings. The child life team and wonderful volunteers staffed the room and supported 183 caregivers shopping experiences. Some of the caregivers comments include:

“I wouldn’t have had a Christmas for my kids if you didn’t do this” -parent

“It was an experience of a lifetime. I appreciate everything that is done for the families at AI duPont Hospital, God Bless” –parent

“Being or having a child in the hospital during the holidays brings holiday blues. But when I came here, everyone was so friendly and made me feel so welcomed. I’m truly grateful for this experience.” -parent

“Having a sick child in the hospital is overwhelming, however the experience at Snowflake station brings a spark of light that somehow helps things be lighter for us while we were in the hospital. Toys will definitely bring smiles to our children’s face.” –parent