CHLA 2nd Floor Playroom Toy Drive
CHLA’s smallest playroom has the biggest heart.
Hi! I’m Brittany, but my favorite people call me Aunt B. I’ve been volunteering at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles since 2016, spending most of that time in the 2nd Floor Playroom of the Anderson Pavilion inpatient tower. It’s the tiniest playroom in the hospital, but it supports four major units and some of the most incredible kids and families you could ever meet. And right now, the team needs our help keeping it stocked!
The playroom serves:
CV Acute & CV ICU - cardiac patients, including kids awaiting transplants or recovering from surgery
PICU & NICU - critically ill children and babies in intensive care
This space is more than just a room, it’s a safe haven for creativity, play, and connection. CHLA’s Child Life playrooms give kids the chance to step away from their hospital rooms and experience moments of comfort, joy, and normalcy in a space free from medical procedures. And for the many kids who can’t leave their rooms, these same supplies are used to bring play, development, and a sense of care directly to their bedside.
⭐️ Help us stock the playroom
With the help of friends and family, we’re running the toy drive through July 2025 to help keep this special space stocked with fun, creative, and comforting supplies. Everything must be new and hospital-friendly.
Much-needed items:
Crayons, markers, colored pencils
Play-Doh, art kits, small canvases
LEGO sets (small)
UNO and other playing cards
Matchbox-sized cars
Baby rattles
Amazon or Target gift cards in $25 increments
Please: no plush toys, oversized items, or handmade items. Ages range from newborns to young adults.
📦 How to Donate
There are several ways to contribute:
Drop-off at your school or organization! If participating, place items in the donation box at your school or organization.
Set up a designated donation box at your school or organization. We’ll get you everything you need to collect items from your school or workplace!
Coordinate a pickup / drop-off. Have supplies but no designated donation box? We can come to you!
Gift cards: in $25 increments; physical cards preferred, but digital gift cards can be sent directly to CHLA staff at: jvong@chla.usc.edu
If you’d prefer to ship a donation, you can use CHLA’s Child Life Amazon Wish List and look for items labeled for the 2nd Floor in the comments. These will go straight to the team!
On August 1, we’ll deliver the donations as a group—family, friends, anyone who’s been part of this little mission. Please reach out if you want to be part of the drop-off or celebration.
💌 CONTACT
Email me, Brittany High! I’m happy to coordinate all the things. Shoot me a message and we’ll make it happen.
💛 Why It Matters
Your donation goes straight to the kids and families at CHLA, bringing joy, comfort, and something to smile about during hospital stays.
With limited funding for playroom resources, community support fills critical gaps and ensures kids still have access to the tools that make healing feel a little more human.
It also supports the Child Life staff who make it all possible. This team is made up of some of the most thoughtful, creative, and truly incredible humans I’ve ever met. They show up every day ready to bring comfort, joy, and a little normalcy to kids and families who really need it.
When we stock the playroom with things like markers, LEGOs, baby toys, and gift cards, we’re making sure the staff have what they need to do what they do best.
Thank you for being part of this. It truly makes a difference.
xoxoxxoo,
Aunt B
Brittany High
CHLA Certified Cuddler + Child Life Volunteer
