By Ella Brassinga 

UA Hosts Toy Drive to Support DCH Pediatric Patients

The University of Alabama hosted a toy donation drive at the UA Student Center Plaza on Wednesday at noon in collaboration with DCH Health System’s Volunteer Services. 

The event aimed to collect toy and blanket donations for children of all ages in pediatric care within the DCH hospital. 

All donations given must remain in their original packaging or have the tags attached. The toys are then sent to DCH Volunteer Services to hand out to the pediatric patients according to the UA event calendar. 

DCH Volunteer Services has collaborated with UA students on similar drives in the past, emphasizing community engagement. 

This organization coordinates donation efforts and volunteer opportunities that allow students to directly contribute to patient care. 

Many volunteers were inspired to participate after seeing the great efforts of those around them, said Katherine Warren, a UA student majoring in biology on the pre med track and a volunteer with DCH. 

“Just the people I work with, as I watch them contribute, I want to do the same,” said Warren. 

One of the main goals of this drive is to make hospital experiences less stressful for children, said Warren. “Being in the hospital can be a scary experience, especially for children, we hope these toys and blankets make their time there more enjoyable.” 

The drive placed an emphasis on collecting blankets with fun designs, as well as toys that provide both comfort and entertainment, said Liana Geier, UA student and volunteer with DCH. “Blankets with bright colors and patterns can make a child’s hospital room feel a bit more like home.”

Throughout the afternoon, students and faculty stopped by the Student Center Plaza to contribute donations. 

Many people learn about this event through social media, campus announcements and the UA events calendar. 

Students and volunteers who participated in this event said they appreciated the opportunity to help children in need, said Geier. “It is such an easy way to make a big difference, even a small toy can mean the world to a child stuck in the hospital. 

Volunteers hope to continue similar efforts in the future to strengthen community connections, said Geier.