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Thank you for your interest in supporting Gillette Children’s. Your gift, whether large or small, enhances the care experience of the patients and families that we serve. Crafts, toys, books, or electronic donations can brighten the stay of even our littlest patients.
We accept store-bought donations to be distributed at the hospital and our clinic sites. Items may be dropped off in the valet parking area of our St. Paul campus, or mailed directly to to the hospital through Wish Lists on our vendor sites, linked to below.
If you have something to donate, please:
- Call Child Life at 651-229-3855 or email ChildLife@gillettechildrens.com to schedule your donation drop-off.
- Include this in-kind donation form with your donation.
Safety Guidelines
To comply with infection prevention protocols and to promote the safety, health, and privacy of our patients, we require that:
- All items be brand new with tags.
- Toys and games have non-fabric, washable surfaces.
- Toys be latex-free. Items made of soft rubber (such as Koosh balls) or other balloon-like rubber material can trigger serious allergic reactions in our patients.
Wish Lists
Looking for inspiration to fill the most urgent donation needs at Gillette? Please browse the wish lists below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Please include a completed in-kind donation form with your mailed donation.
Gillette Children’s
c/o Child Life | Internal Zip 205020
200 University Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55101
New, clean stuffed animals can be donated, and Gillette's child life team will distribute these to patients.
Out of concern for infection prevention and safety, Gillette is unable to accept previously used or collected toys.
Due to privacy, security, and infection-prevention concerns, Gillette does not permit community members or groups to give gifts directly to patients on inpatient units, host events with patients, or play or read with patients without prior approval.
Gillette accepts and regularly distributes blankets, from quilts to tie blankets. Please contact Volunteer Services for more information.
We can accept blankets that have been knit or crocheted. We do not accept any handmade hats, scarves, mittens, knit or crocheted pillows.
Unfortunately, Gillette is not able to accept cards for patients.
We accept donations of new books. Due to infection prevention, we are unable to accept previously used books.
Gillette is fortunate to have a large collection of original, commissioned artwork from local, professional artists. We do not accept donated artwork for the hospital at this time.
Out of concern for patient safety and infection-prevention measures, Gillette is only able to accept new items with the tags still attached. We are unable to accept the following donations:
- Used/previously played with toys, books, games, or stuffed animals.
- Private collections of toys, books, games, or stuffed animals that have never been played with but have been stored away.
- Items that include information that identify past or present patients, including but not limited to patient’s first and last name, birth date, photo, and story.
- Latex toys, games and balloons.
- Toys that resemble weapons (swords, Nerf guns, water guns, violent action figures, etc.).
- Used medical equipment.
- Breast milk and unused formula.
- Cards or art for patients.
- Homemade treats (cookies, cupcakes, bars, etc.).
- Flowers from weddings, funerals, or other outside events.
- Handmade pillows.
- Prescription medication/formula.
- Religious items.
- Musical Instruments.
Thank you again for thinking of the needs of Gillette patients—we’re so grateful for your support. Please continue to check back frequently for more ways you can help and for updated information about our most pressing needs.
