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The gifts from Walmart were stacked next to those already collected from employees and local residents. From Barbies to Star Wars action figures to baby dolls to stuffed puppies, dozens of gifts were donated. WWF wrestlers, coloring books and crayons, and stacks of gifts for infants and toddlers were given too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have a great relationship with our local Walmart, and we are pleased to have them as the sponsor of this Toy Drive event,\u201d Garthwaite said. \u201cIt\u2019s like Santa\u2019s sleigh just passed through.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walmart\u2019s donations at the Toy Drive added up to more than $1,000 in toys which was a surprise for the ED. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe especially liked the idea of surprising the Emergency Department team with a grand kick off. They really are unsung heroes. As much as they want children to know they care about them, we wanted the fantastic people in the Emergency Department to know we as a community support them and care about them,\u201d Olson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last October, the Winter Haven Hospital added pediatric emergency observation services and telehealth support to the Emergency Roomcreating the need for toys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the Toy Drive was a big success, collecting toys for the ED will be an ongoing effort since the toys will need to be \u201crefilled\u201d as they are given to the patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe events of last week were just the kick-off. This is a program that happens every day and will continue forever. For our event on May 28, the goal was to get us started in a big way, and to have enough toys for every age group so we would be set for a while as we grow the program,\u201d Olson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
T. Michael Stavres, Winter Haven City Manager and member of the Coastal Acoustic Barefoot Music, has also committed to donating the band\u2019s tips to the Toy Drive, as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Foundation has made donating a toy easy for anyone who would like to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have QR codes (included with this article) on pamphlets throughout our hospital and website and where people can give a toy anytime. Through our partnership with Walmart anyone can purchase a toy (approved as safe by our Emergency Department) and Walmart will deliver it directly to the hospital,\u201d Olson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, call Olson at 863.292.4334<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Anita Todd WINTER HAVEN \u2013 A trip to the emergency room can be frightening for anyone, especially babies and children. To help ease those fears, employees, residents, and the local Walmart have teamed up with the Winter Haven Hospital to provide toys for young patients visiting the Emergency Department. A Toy Drive was launched by the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":81737,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[901,798,574,15],"class_list":["post-81739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fast-factual-free","tag-hospital","tag-toy-drive","tag-toys","tag-winter-haven"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/img_5295.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1500&ssl=1","aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t