PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 9, 2020) – Due to COVID-19 visitor restrictions and infection prevention protocols in place to keep our patients and hospital workers safe, the Banner Health Foundation is asking the community to donate toys virtually this year rather than in person at Banner Children’s medical centers.

The holidays typically bring much-needed toy donations, enough to stock the Toy Closets at all three Banner Children’s medical centers in Mesa, Glendale and Tucson for the full year. After a challenging procedure, treatment, or when achieving a milestone, children get a trip to the Toy Closet to choose their own toy to keep—offering them a bright spot while they’re in the hospital.

This year, instead of bringing toys to the hospital in person, donors are asked to make a secure, tax-deductible donation to the Virtual Toy Drive online. 100% of donations will purchase toys for kids of all ages—including baby toys, books, games, puzzles, dolls, race cars, and even gift cards for teenage patients. To get your friends and family involved in the cause, the Banner Health Foundation also offers free online tools to help you host your own virtual fundraiser online.

To support the Virtual Toy Drive and/or host your own online fundraiser, visit http://give.bannerhealth.com/toy.

Established in 2001, the Banner Health Foundation secures and stewards charitable contributions to advance Banner Health’s nonprofit mission of making health care easier so life can be better. Contributions are invested locally to support patient care programs and services operated by Banner’s many hospitals and health care facilities across Arizona. For more information, please visit www.bannerhealthfoundation.org.