Toys Delivered on Wheels to Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach

Around October each year, the toy supply in the pediatric playrooms at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach begins to dwindle. But for 13 years, a community of car lovers has come together to save the day. Driving in a caravan from Timmons of Long Beach to the parking lot at Miller Children’s, dozens of Volkswagen and Subaru owners deliver hundreds of toys for the patients at Miller Children’s.

As part of the hospital’s Child Life Program, Miller Children’s has three playrooms, where young patients and their families can spend time having fun, while taking their minds off hospitalization. Child Life Specialists provides as many play opportunities as possible in the hospital setting. With a mantra that “no child is ever too sick to play,” Child Life Specialists ensure that throughout Miller Children’s, patients are given an outlet to play and work through feelings they have related to their treatment.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, the car enthusiasts brought enough toys to last for months. Lining their cars up in rows, the group created a special car show just for hospitalized patients and their families. Growing bigger every year, the group brought along special characters, including cows from Chick-fil-A® and the bear from Black Bear Diner.

“Toy Jam not only provides a great distraction for our patients who are here, but it helps hundreds of patients and families that come to Miller Children’s throughout the year,” says Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life Program. “Hospitalization can be really scary for a child at any age. Through this event, we know that we will have a toy or activity to comfort every child we care for, no matter what age, while they’re here.”

For several months, Timmons of Long Beach acts as the host for the toy drive. In addition to donating toys, the group collected nearly $1,200, which the Child Life Program will use for taxi vouchers for families who may not have reliable transportation to and from the hospital.