As part of De-Stress Week, the UNMC Omaha campus will hold a donation drive for the Nebraska Medicine pediatric patient unit on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wigton Heritage Center, Dr. Leland and Dorothy Olson Atrium, 4th floor. Those who donate will receive a de-stress kit (while supplies last).
"Being a kid in the hospital anytime — but especially during the holidays — to put it simply, stinks," said education services-hospital teacher Lisa Gulseth. "Having books, games and different activities for our patients to utilize during their stay makes the time go more quickly. To help lower the spread of infection across patients, all of our books, games and activities are a one-time use. Therefore, we go through items quickly. So, our department is grateful to the campus community for providing a drive to help us restock these items for our patients."
A list of preferred donations can be found below:
- Board books – any title
- Chapter books – Dog Man, Dork Diaries, I Survived, Ms. Frogbottom, Frog & Toad
- Games – Money Bags, Sum Swamp, Guess in 10, I See 10, Treehouse Town, Slapzi
- Card Games – UNO, Qwirkle Rummy, regular playing cards
- Kid and adult coloring books
- Play-Doh brand Play-Doh
- 8-10- and 100-300-piece puzzles with kid-friendly scenes
Cash donations also will be accepted.
If you wish to donate but are unable to drop off your donation during this timeframe, contact Kelsey Scroggin.
De-stress kits are sponsored by the UNMC Office of Community Engagement.