No matter the size, shape, or style; a stuffed animal can always make a hospitalized child feel better. From the smallest beanies, to the largest stuffed creation, all new cuddly creatures are wanted and greatly appreciated.  Stuffed animals must be new for sanitation purposes for use in a hospital.

Beanie Babies are donated to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for physicians and nurses to use to improve the quality of life for premature babies. These stuffed animals make the babies feel protected and serve as a positional aid. All other new stuffed animals can go home with the inpatient children or emergency room visitors.

If there is a guest visiting with a patient you may want to give them one as well. Sometimes it is hard to be the sibling of an injured or ill child. Always ask the parent if it is ok first. Most of the time the nurses will be handing out the stuffed animals and sometimes they ask all of the children who are able to go into the playroom to come in at a given time to pick out a surprise stuffed animal.

Since Operation Noah is based in Chandler, Arizona, it may not be easy to donate them directly to the organizations home chapter. However, it is possible to donate stuffed animals in Operation Noah’s name. There are Hospitals big and small all around the country. I am sure there is even one close to your home or school. You may also want to take the stuffed animals on vacation with you and visit a new hospital.

To donate to a hospital in Operation Noah’s name, first contact the hospital or urgent care. Ask if they have a “Child Life” specialist on staff. If not, ask to speak to a charge nurse. Introduce yourself and tell them that you are calling on behalf of Operation Noah. It is also necessary to give them a quick background about the organization. An example would be:

 “Hello my name is Dennis Fries and I am with Operation Noah. We collect new stuffed animals and donate them to hospitals all around the country. I am going to arrange a new drive and would like to donate them to your hospital. You will not need to do any of the work. Is this something you would be interested in?”

 
If they say yes, which most do, ask them about their policies on visitations to see whether or not they will allow you to personally donate the stuffed animals. After that, set up a time and date to come in and they will take care of everything else.