Media Contact: corey.schubert@bannerhealth.com

MEDIA ADVISORY:

MESA – Santa and his elves will make an early visit to Cardon Children’s Medical Center from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, to deliver toys, stocking one of the toy closets for patients at the hospital, located at 1400 S. Dobson Road.

If patients are available, Santa and the elves will visit a few children’s rooms. Otherwise, they’ll be stocking the toy closet with donations which will be provided to young patients throughout the holidays and next year.

This fun visit marks the start of a community toy drive in which donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made at the Mesa Christmas Market, open from 5 to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23. This outdoor, European-style traditional Christmas market is located under the glow of the City of Mesa Christmas Tree in the heart of Downtown Mesa, on the north side of MacDonald and Main Street.

Pediatric patients at Cardon Children’s can choose an item from the toy closets as a reward for their bravery after they go through a treatment or procedure. These toy closets, made possible by generous donations throughout the year from Valley residents and businesses, reduce anxiety and comfort patients during their hospital stay.

Items that make great donations for pediatric patients include movies, coloring books, action figures, craft kits, Barbies and dolls, young adult fiction, puzzles, and new pajamas (both male and female). A full list of ideas is available at www.BannerChildrens.com/toyclosets. All items must be new to prevent the spread of infection.

During the toy delivery on Tuesday, Santa and his elves will be joined by several local community leaders, including the East Valley Partnership’s John Lewis, president and CEO, and Mike Hutchinson, senior business advisor.