Disney donates toys to kids at UCHealth Memorial Central

Dozens of kids at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central were treated to brand new toys and other gifts on Tuesday, courtesy of Disney’s Team of Heroes program.

It’s an effort intended to make unavoidably difficult experiences for families a little easier.

It’s a familiar concept for Jeri Young, a Certified Child Life Specialist at the hospital.

Instead of their physical heath, Young is focused on the children’s psychological and emotional health.

“We’re the ones who provide normalcy, and bring play back into the hospital,” she said.

This week, Disney made her job a little easier.

The company donated $10-15,000 worth of toys, books, and DVDs to the hospital.

It’s a boost to not only the morale of the patients in the pediatric units, but the parents as well, who struggle to keep them occupied and optimistic.

Hannah Bowen knows that challenge well, with her son spending several days in the hospital getting over a dangerous virus.

“Despite being sick, he still wants to run around and if we didn’t have the playroom, I don’t know what we would have done. It’s pretty much tv, toys, sleep,” she said.

In all, 36 kids in the pediatric units received toys on Tuesday, with enough leftover to make sure everyone kid who comes in for at least the next few months has one waiting for them.

Nationwide, Disney donates about 100 million dollars worth of toys and services to make those hospital stays just a little easier.