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Help Us Support Children's Hospital This Season

November 24, 2025 College of Arts and Humanities | History

A smiling adult stands on an ice rink with two young hockey players. The adult wears a tan hoodie with a snake-themed team logo. The taller player in the middle is wearing white goalie gear and a white jersey that says “Snakes,” while the younger player on the right wears a black jersey with a similar snake logo. All three are posing together in front of the boards on the rink.

The ARHU Staff Council is collecting new, unwrapped toys and comfort items for children of all ages.

History department staff person Wendy Bernard’s two sons have undergone a combined 25 heart procedures at Children's Hospital over 17 years. She's spent every holiday you can name on the cardiac surgery floor.

She remembers when her third-grader was recovering from a rejected implant at Christmas time, and he worried Santa wouldn't find him. The hospital staff led her to a room filled floor-to-ceiling with toys, wrapped every gift and made sure her son and her whole family felt the magic of the holiday even without the comfort of home.

"They didn't have to do that," Bernard said. "They were already saving his life, literally."

So when Bernard, who is a business services specialist and a member of the ARHU Staff Council, suggested that the college organize a toy drive, everyone was on board. She recalled how her oldest son Steven delivered toys last year on the same floor where he'd been a patient and the kids lit up. They hugged parents who said "I can't ever repay you for this."

Bernard told them: "Someday you'll be able to give it back to others. Because they did it for me."

"Support hits differently when a community that you don't know shows up to support you," she explained. "We are the College of Arts and Humanities. And we're here to help. Even if it's just bringing a smile to someone who needs it."

Join our Staff Council toy drive for Children's Hospital.

Drop-off details: We're collecting new, unwrapped toys and comfort items for children of all ages, including:

  • Board games and puzzles
  • Art supplies and coloring books
  • Books for all reading levels
  • Small toys and activities for hospital rooms
  • Legos

NO STUFFED ANIMALS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Do you need more ideas for what to buy? Here are some options:

Mail to:  Arts and Humanities Staff Council, 1111 Francis Scott Key Hall, 4282 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742

Campus Drop Off Locations:

  • Arts and Humanities, 1111 Francis Scott Key Hall
  • American Studies, 1328 Tawes Building
  • History Department, 2115 Francis Scott Key Hall 
  • Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies, 2808, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

We are accepting donations through 12/17/2025