FAQ #1
We've been asked quite often lately about receiving actual toy donations. What kind of toys?... Toys for what ages?... How large of toys?... Wrapped or unwrapped?... and so on. Excelent questions!
If you would like to donate individual toys to Joey's Toy Box, we've outlined some guidelines below. Due to the fact that these toys go directly into the hands of our young cancer patients, we have to meet certain criteria for their safety. Many of the children, due to their chemotherapy treatments, will have decreased immune systems which make them highly vulnerable to infections. Some have more physical handicaps which put them at risk of injury. The following should help in determining the types of toys to donate:
Toys should be new and unwrapped.
Boys and girls toys, from ages infant through teen.
Sizes of toys should be small (easier for the kids to handle while getting treatments).
Helpful hints: These toys have always gone over big with the kids!
Action figures
Baby dolls
MatchBox type cars
My Little Ponies
Coloring books & crayons
Movie DVDs
Hand-held video games
Board games & puzzles
Arts & Crafts
FAQ #2
What about the parents and families of the children? How are you supporting them and what's your plans for the future?
Well, the motto of Joey's Toy Box is "Comfort and Support". More specifically, it's comfort for these brave children battling an incredible disease. And it's support for their families who fight step by step with them. Our first priority is to make sure these kids have the toys they need to get them through. Secondly, we want to insure that the families have some support. We want the parents to fully realize that they are not in this fight alone. From our first hand experience, we can tell you that often times throughout our journey with Joey, we felt as if we were battling this alone. Certainly we were not! We had the love and support of our family, friends, and entire community. But, when your going through your worst times, and when your watching your child suffer through the disease,... well, sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. And sometimes you just feel alone.
Joey's Toy Box wants to step up and let these incredible parents and their families know that they are never alone! We live in a community that demonstrates it's compassion every day. And Joey's Toy Box will help provide some support and relief to these wonderful people. Many of the families at the AFLAC Cancer Centers travel long distances for their child's treatment. Many, if not most, are so finacially stressed that they can barely make it. One thing's for sure though. They love their children, and they've accepted the fact that they're in this battle. So they will make it through no matter what.
Joey's Toy Box will help provide the needed family support by way of money and gift card donations. We have already, and will continue to provide assistance by way of gas cards, food vouchers, and hotel vouchers, to name a few. As the parent of a sick child, unsolicited assistance means that you can focus on what's important,... your child.
Thanks from JTB