Donations we can accept
All items must be new, unopened and latex-free.
Our biggest wish list area is for TEENS and INFANTS. Most all toys have suggested ages written right on the package. We are currently looking for 0-2 year toys, and 12+ toys. Some ideas are:
- Infant/toddler toys with buttons, lights and fine motor skill features and crib toys (age range of 0-24 months)
- National sports team apparel (NFL, MLB, NHL) or local college
- Headphones (both over the ear and earbud style)
- Speakers (wireless or wired)
- Cell phone accessories
- Young adult coloring books
- Nail polish and make-up
- Hair accessories (elastics, barrettes, brushes and stylers, electric curlers/clips, hair straighteners)
- Magnifying stand-alone mirrors
- Xbox One and PS4 games (sports, racing, strategy – no violence or mature content)
- Gift cards (iTunes, Walmart, Target, Google Play, area restaurants – in increments of $10 or less)
- Model Magic brand clay
- LEGO kits
- Superhero figurines and themed toys (Marvel, Avengers and DC Comics – no violence)
- Card game kits
- Arts and crafts kits
- Colored pencils, markers and crayons
- Paint brushes and canvases
- Barbies and other dolls
- Doctor play sets (Fisher Price)
- Train sets
- Toy cars (noise-making, remote control, Matchbox)
Other acceptable donations:
- Aluminum can tabs
- Manual wheelchairs, walkers and crutches in good condition
Donations we are unable to accept
Due to the hospital’s infection control policy and for the safety and well-being of our patients, we cannot accept the following items:
- Used books, toys, games, stuffed animals
- Any toy, game, craft or sports item containing latex, rubber or flexible foam which can cause an allergic reaction in some patients
- Loose glitter or sand
- Used electronics, VHS tapes, audio cassette tapes
- Anything pertaining to weapons, gore or violence
- Power wheelchairs and other used healthcare equipment (with the exception of manual wheelchairs, walkers and crutches in good condition)
- Used clothing, shoes, greeting cards
- Items that can be recycled at home, such as soda cans, food cans, scrap metal, aluminum foil, etc.
We appreciate your understanding of these restrictions and have compiled a list of alternative donation sites for items we are unable to accept. The following organizations accept used clothing, books, art supplies and toys in good condition:
Gray House – 22 Sheldon Street, Springfield, MA
413-734-6696 www.grayhouse.org
Springfield Boys and Girls Club – 481 Carew Street, Springfield, MA (No clothing)
413-732-7201 www.sbgc.org
Salvation Army – 285 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA
413-785-1921 www.salvationarmyusa.org
The following organizations accept used stuffed animals and blankets (no pillows):
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society – 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA
413-781-4000 www.dpvhs.org
Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center – 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA
413-781-1484 www.tjoconnoradoptioncenter.com
The following organization accepts gently used medical equipment:
The New England Assistive Technology (NEAT) Center at Oak Hill - 120 Holcomb Street, Hartford, CT
860-243-2869 or toll free: 866-526-4492 www.neatmarketplace.org
Thank you for thinking of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Springfield. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact our child life department at 413-735-1252.