Shriners Hospitals for Children — Springfield appreciates receiving donations from the community to benefit our patients. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept all donations. See our lists of acceptable and unacceptable items below.
Donations we can accept
The items below are frequently used and distributed by our child life staff to patients undergoing medical procedures and in recognition of special events.
All items must be new, unopened and latex-free. We can accept:
Currently, our biggest wish list area is for TEENS and INFANTS. Most all toys have suggested ages written right on the package, so we are looking for 0-2 year toys, and 12+ toys. Some ideas are:
- Legos
- Model Magic brand clay (specifically this kind)
- Headphones – both over the ear and earbud style
- Nail polish
- Hair accessories – elastics, barrettes, brushes and stylers, electric curlers/clips, hair straighteners
- Stand-alone mirrors that can magnify
- Superhero figurines – not violent – Marvel, Avengers and DC Comics are OK
- Sports hats or T-shirts with local college or national sports team (baseball, football, etc.)
- Xbox One games – sports, racing, strategy – no violence or mature content
- PS4 games – sports or racing – no violence or mature content – both girls and boys
- iTunes gift cards (increments of $10 or less)
- Walmart and Target gift cards ($5 to $10 increments)
- Google Play gift cards
- Infant/toddler toys with buttons, lights and fine motor skill features; crib toys; boxes should say "age range of 0-24 months"
- Card game kits
- Face painting kits
- KLUTZ kits – brand name
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Barbies
- Doctor play sets – Fisher Price
- Avengers-themed toys
- Cars that make noise
- Train sets
- Matchbox cars
- Arts and crafts kits
- Other dolls that are not the Barbie brand
Movies we need:
- Moana
- Mulan
- The Running Dream
- Les Miserables
- Phantom of the Opera
- Annie
- Beauty and the Beast
- Dolphin Tale (1 and 2)
- Spider-Man (new version)
- Avatar
- Wonder Woman
- Daniel Tiger
- PAW Patrol
- Flipped
- Trolls
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, papers, tea bag tags
- 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 413-735-1253 or 413-735-1251.