If you like to sew and you would like to offer your talents to help children at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, please check out this page.
The children who are admitted to Riley Children's Hospital receive the finest medical treatment, emotional support and loving care available anywhere. But children in the hospital have other special needs that are met through the generosity of individuals and organizations. Your gift of handmade items could go a long way toward brightening a hospital stay for a child and making his or her hospitalization a more comfortable, positive experience.
Some of the handmade items that are always needed are:
Quilts - Quilts are needed to provide warmth and are a homey touch. They need to be two thicknesses only. Please do not include filling and do not tie with yarn. Quilts sizes are 30" x 35", 36" x 48", 45" x 60", and 72" x 80".
Stuffed Animals - Children of all ages love to cuddle up with a friendly stuffed animal. Stuffed items should have no removable parts. Stuffed animals must be of a washable material filled with polyester filling.
Surgery Dolls - Children can learn about surgery and other medical procedures by play acting the experience with a doll as the patient. Special surgery dolls consist of two human forms sewn together to become the young "doctor's" patient during a medical play session, and the child can take the doll home as a souvenir. The Cheer Guild has a pattern for making these dolls.
Puppy Pillows - Puppy pillows are cheerful comforts given to patients after surgery in the recovery room. They should be made of washable material with a happy face. The Cheer Guild has a pattern for making these dolls.
Pinafores - The children in the toddler unit enjoy wearing the brightly colored pinafores over their hospital gowns. These help keep them tidy. They should be made of soft, washable material. The Cheer Guild has a pinafore pattern.
The above information was taken from the brochure published by the Cheer Guild of IU Medical Center, Riley Hospital. If you would like to volunteer handmade items, toys, or even some of your time, please write to the address below and request a brochure for yourself. It will provide you with more detailed information about ways you and your family or organization can help. Please be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope!
Return to Bloom