Cook County Health’s Stroger Hospital has been awarded an $18,000 grant from The Toy Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Play Fund Program.

The Toy Foundation awarded 23 projects at hospitals across the nation, recognizing programs that reflected the importance of play in children’s hospitals, particularly those in underserved communities.

In 2024, Stroger Hospital cared for more than 9,300 pediatric patients in its emergency department, pediatric ICU and inpatient/observation units.

“Cook County Health’s Stroger Hospital has long served some of the area’s most vulnerable children,” said Donnica Austin-Cathey, Stroger Hospital Chief Hospital Executive. “We are grateful to The Toy Foundation for their grant to help support our mission and bring join to our young patients.”

Ruthie Charendoff, Certified Child Life Specialist for Stroger Hospital’s pediatric emergency and trauma departments, said the grant will be used to purchase toys and therapeutic books for patients through the hospital’s PlayForward initiative.

The goal of PlayForward is to support the development of all pediatric patients at Stroger Hospital, helping children meet developmental milestones through play by promoting emotional well-being, enhancing coping strategies, and fostering positive development both in and out of the hospital.  

PlayForward helps the Child Life team enhance patients’ coping strategies by offering education about medical procedures, teaching relaxation techniques, and creating personalized coping kits. Age-appropriate toys and toolkits are used in one-on-one sessions to prepare children for procedures, process new diagnoses, and reenact medical experiences. The program fosters positive development by providing developmentally appropriate activities for all pediatric patients.

“We are grateful to the Toy Foundation for their support,” said Dr. Mopelola Akintorin, chair of pediatrics at Cook County Health. “While doctors and medical staff work on healing children, having toys that support them during their stay can benefit a child’s recovery and mental state. Studies continue to show that that helps with healing.”

“Being in the hospital can be scary and frustrating for children,” Ms. Charendoff said.  “Through PlayForward, we aim to not only support children’s developmental milestones during their hospital stay but also to equip families with the tools and knowledge they need to continue fostering their children’s development at home.”

The Toy Foundation’s Play Fund program is the only industry-wide funding initiative that brings the power of play to hospitals. Uniting the philanthropy of toy companies enables The Toy Foundation to fund a variety of projects, from sensory-friendly play areas to themed arts and crafts activities, and innovative play equipment that is inclusive for patients of all abilities. As a result, children are more likely to feel a sense of normalcy in an unfamiliar environment, develop positive behaviors and attitudes, and build stronger coping skills.

“Play is a key component of childhood. Having access to play in difficult situations, such as a hospital stay, can provide immense comfort and emotional benefits to pediatric patients as they receive treatment and heal,” said Pam Mastrota, executive director at The Toy Foundation. “We are proud that by the end of 2025, the collective impact of our Play Fund program will have provided the power of play to 825,000 children nationwide since 2021.”