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Sarah Coyle, Gift in Kind Relations Officer, organized the event to provide donors a summer alternative because the hospital usually sees the most donations during the holiday season.
“We want to put a smile on their faces and give them something to do while they’re here,” Coyle said.
According to the Cincinnati Children’s Gift Wish List, all toys must be “brand new, odor-free, in original packaging, and purchased within the last three to six months.” Handmade items, toys that depict violence, items containing latex, or food and beverages will not be allowed.
The slowing of donations during the summer plagues nearly all charitable organizations, and many attempt to offset that decline by creating events.
Local schools tend to be less involved in helping students during summer months, which hits food pantries like the Food Pantry of Fairfield hard. In a time of increasing need, manager Wayne Patten says that the pantry has to make sure their donations from their peak season in November and December lasts until the slower summer months. The holiday donations only lasted until April this year.
“We received about 300 pounds of anonymous donations in December,” said Patten, who is in his fourth year as the pantry’s manager. “In comparison, we received eight pounds of anonymous donations in June.”
To make up for the slower months, the food pantry hosts a 5K race in late March, advertises on its website and Facebook page, and relies on payment from Ohio government and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Patten says that these funds have been erratic over the years, leading to surpluses of some items and shortages of boxed meals like Hamburger Helper and cereal.
Other groups also see dwindling participation, including the Community Blood Center, which. collects blood at hospitals throughout southwest Ohio, serving at three in Butler County.
Butler County account representative, Tracy Morgan says that blood centers “suffer” during the summer months. Blood is especially needed during the summer, says Morgan, because of a higher amount of injuries due to more people being out and about.
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While it’s at its highest demand, it is also at its lowest supply. Morgan says that participation drops at the blood center’s donation drives due to vacation and the closing of schools.
No month is slower for the Community Blood Center than July, which was very evident last week. Morgan said that it is much more challenging for the blood center to find locations for blood drives and to attract volunteers.
“In a typical week, we have five to seven donation drives per day,” said Morgan. “We only had four during the whole week of July 4.”
To counter the decreased involvement, the blood center has organized multiple events and provides more testimonies of how these donations can save peoples’ lives. Morgan says the event being prioritized is the center’s “Life-Saving Adventure,” which will run until October.
The blood center is asking for three donations, which will get participants three shirts and entered into a raffle to win a camping package. The event has been going on since May, which Morgan says allow donaters to provide blood again after the appropriate amount of time has passed. Experts say that one should wait at least 56 days before donating blood again.
There are many other places in Butler County that are accepting donations including the Salvation Army of Middletown, Family Service of Middletown, Oxford Community Choice Pantry, and Hope’s Closet in Hamilton. Hope’s Closet receives clothing and supplies to be sent to children in foster care.
Today’s Cincinnati Children’s event will take place at 7100 Foundry Road in Liberty Township between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be outdoor lawn games for families to enjoy in addition to the donation drive.
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