Community Support Opportunities
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our opportunities. The following information will provide more detailed information about what to do and where to send items from our remote community support opportunities.
Explore Ways to Get Involved
Caregiver Comfort Bags
Caregiver Comfort Bags allow us to address immediate needs of long-term families, many who are often not prepared for a long hospital stay.
On our online wish list, we have an assortment of high need items including:
- Travel Size Toiletries
- Ear Plugs
- Sleep Masks
- Headphones
These comfort items are perfect for individualized bags for caregivers. We recommend utilizing ziploc bags, tote bags, or paper bags. Please no bags with drawstrings.
Once kits are created, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation appointment. Our address and interest form can be found on our Dr. Bear’s Closet page.
Sensory Soothing Bags
Sensory Soothing Bags are individualized bags centered around bringing regulation and distraction to patients in need. We recommend utilizing ziploc bags, tote bags, or paper bags. Please no bags with drawstrings.
Suggested items include:
- Pop-its
- Pop Tubes
- Stress Balls
- Glitter Wands
- Needoh
- Tangle Jr.
Once bags are created, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation. Our address and interest form can be found on our Dr. Bear’s Closet page.
Snuggle and Story Bags
Assemble individual comfort bags for our littlest patients. We recommend utilizing tote or paper bags and please include the following items:
- one baby board book
- one baby rattle
- one small lovey or stuffie
Once bags are created, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation appointment. Our address and interest form can be found on our Dr. Bear’s Closet page.
Kid Coloring Kits
Assemble bags with coloring books or pages and crayons or colored pencils for patients of all ages. Large ziploc bags are perfect for this activity. We recommend deconstructing a coloring book or printing pages from the Crayola website or other online sources.
Once kits are created, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation appointment. Our address and interest form can be found on our Dr. Bear’s Closet page.
Caregiver Color & Unwind
Assemble kits with more intricate coloring books or pages and word puzzles for parents and caregivers. Large ziploc bags are perfect for this activity.
Once kits are created, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation appointment. Our address and interest form can be found on our Dr. Bear’s Closet page.
Host a Clothing Drive
The Volunteer Services office accepts in-kind donations of brand new toys clothes to Dr. Bear’s Closet. You can host a drive to collect items with your friends, classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and other community members! We accept clothing in all sizes from newborn through adult sizes. Our online wish list can serve as a guide for our most needed clothing items.
Once items have been collected, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation appointment. Our wish list and interest form can be found online here.
Host a Fundraiser
Host a fundraiser and have participants make a donation to Children’s National during your event! Examples include trivia/game night, movie night, talent show or benefit concert, cooking class, exercise class, dance party, craft night, or birthday party!
View more information on how to start a fundraiser.
*If you would like to specifically support Dr. Bear’s Closet through your fundraiser, please select Fund 44147 for Dr. Bear’s Closet/Volunteer Services!
Host a Toy or Book Drive
The Volunteer Services office accepts in-kind donations of brand new toys and books to Dr. Bear’s Closet. You can host a drive to collect items with your friends, classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and other community members! Our online wish lists can serve as a guide for our most needed and popular items.
Once items have been collected, please mail donation to the Volunteer Services office or complete our Donor Interest Form online to set up your donation appointment. Our wish lists and interest form can be found here.
Questions?
For any additional questions please reach out to Volunteer Services.