Children’s & Women’s Hospital named Toy Foundation grant recipient
The grant from The Toy Foundation will fund updates in the hospital’s playroom.
By Casandra Andrews
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To support the use of play as a therapeutic tool for pediatric patients, Children’s & Women’s Hospital is among 37 hospitals nationwide selected to receive funding through The Toy Foundation’s Play Fund program.
The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association, recently awarded more than $600,000 in grants to hospitals across the U.S., marking the program’s largest funding distribution to date.
Children’s & Women’s Hospital, part of the University of South Alabama’s academic health system, will receive $11,058.62 to purchase a variety of toys, furniture and equipment for its playroom known as the Treehouse, including a pediatric virtual reality headset.
“We are grateful to The Toy Foundation for recognizing the importance of play in healing,” said Deborah Browning, MSN, RN, CENP, CEO at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “This gift will help us create more comforting, engaging experiences for our patients and families, and reinforce that play is not just a diversion — it is an essential part of caring for children during some of their most challenging moments.”
Research shows that play can help normalize the hospital environment, improve interactions between patients and staff, and support children’s emotional well-being regardless of diagnosis. At the hospital, the Mapp Child and Family Life Program uses a comprehensive approach to children’s physical, emotional, social, educational, and developmental needs. The hospital-based team includes three child life specialists, a therapeutic recreation specialist, six certified schoolteachers, a music therapist, and an arts and activities coordinator. Together, they promote resiliency and healthy outcomes in children and adolescents.
“For our patients and their families, play helps make the hospital feel less intimidating and more familiar,” said Kim Thompson-Yates, who coordinates the child and family life program. “It helps children cope with stress, express themselves, and feel a sense of control during their care. Through these experiences, we are also able to better communicate with families, respect their cultural and spiritual values, and support each child’s growth and well-being during their hospital stay.”
