Angelica Santini Hernandez
Words by Angelica Santini Hernandez
Every year as the summer sun reaches its peak, Jacksonville residents find a delightful and unusual yet heartwarming Christmas in July celebration. Organized by Wolfson Children’s Hospital, this event has become a beloved tradition, bringing the joy and magic of Christmas to the heat of summer while supporting a noble cause. This year’s event, held through July 31, is once again accepting donations to spread joy and support to patients. This annual month-long toy and donation drive. Christmas in July began years ago as a way to lift the spirits of young patients who might miss out on holiday festivities due to illness or extended hospital stays. What started as a small-scale event has grown into a way of engaging with local businesses, volunteers and community.
“The primary goal of this drive is to help families and patients. These gifts help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization. What might seem like a small gift to others can be crucial in helping babies and other kids reach important milestones,” Sarah Towne, a child life specialist in the hospital’s neonatal care unit, said.. “These toys play a significant role in a child’s development, as play is a child’s natural language. Bringing play into the hospital helps children explore their feelings and emotions and can help dispel misconceptions about why they are in the hospital. This can be through formative play or medical-based play.”
Another excellent example of community support for hospital programs is the donation of music therapy instruments and other resources.
“At Wolfson Children’s Hospital, our Music Therapy program uses music to support several different individual goals during our patients’ stays,” Caroline Cox, a music therapist at the facility, said. “In our NICU, music therapy focuses on using appropriate music and instruments to support our babies’ brain development during their critical time of growth and development. We love to utilize highly motivating instruments like rain sticks, ocean drums and shakers to encourage our kids to engage and work on various milestones (i.e. physical, cognitive, emotional) based on their age.”
Local businesses and volunteers also play a crucial role in making Christmas in July a success. They donate toys, organize fundraising events and contribute their time and resources to ensure that the celebration is magical. The community’s generosity not only brightens the day for the children but also helps raise funds for essential hospital services and programs.
To make a financial donation, donate gift cards or purchase toys and games from the wish list, visit christmasjuly.com. This year there is an emphasis on toys for infants, arts and crafts kits and supplies, and gift cards in small denominations, which are used as rewards for teens and assistance for patients’ parents. New, unwrapped toys can also be dropped off at Subaru of Jacksonville, 10800 Atlantic Blvd.
Follow FOLIO!