Dentists Host 2nd Annual Toy Drive to Spread Smiles at Children’s Hospital

Elmwood Dental Group LLC in West Hartford is once again collecting toys for the annual Connecticut Children’s Medical Center “Spread the Love” toy drive. Last year, the compassionate dental practice contributed 75 toys to the cause. The public is invited to drop off a toy from Monday, February 3 through Friday, March 6, 2020 in a donation box conveniently located in the reception area.

“As a family-friendly practice and parents ourselves, we want to put a smile on a child’s face during a stressful hospital stay,” said Megan Carlson, Registered Dental Hygienist at Elmwood Dental Group (EDG) led by Dr. Ana Paula Gomes, Dr. Rupal Patel and Dr. Carissa Tanaka. “Our goal is to collect 100 toys this year.”

Carlson notes hospital guidelines require new, unwrapped toys that are appropriate for hospitalized infants, children, adolescents or teenagers (toy guns and other weapons are not appropriate). The toys must not pose a safety hazard, such as those with sharp edges or small, removable or easily breakable parts.

The most-needed general items are:

  • Chapter Books 
  • Arts & Crafts - Play-doh, Crayola items (markers, crayons, colored pencils), paint, clay, paintbrushes
  • Games - Board games and card games such as SORRY, Monopoly Deal, GUBS, SkipBO, UNO and Exploding Kittens

Suggested gifts for specific age groups include:

  • Infants & Toddlers - Infant safe stuffed animals/soft items, board books, crib soothers-mobiles, infant mirrors, rattles, light-up or sound toys from Bright Starts or Fisher Price 
  • Preschoolers - Little people characters/animals, play food/tea sets/ tool sets, plastic animals/dinosaurs
  • School Age - Action figures/Princess Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels/Matchbox Cars, stuffed animals
  • Teens - Adult coloring books/velvet art kits, fleece tie blankets, hand-held electronic games, $5-$10 gift cards (iTunes, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Google Play)

The practice is located at 1132 New Britain Ave. in West Hartford. Donations can be dropped off Monday – Friday starting at 7:30am. Daily hours can be found on the website www.elmwooddentalllc.com. The toy drive is one of many charitable community campaigns the practice spearheads throughout the year.

“We encourage non-patients who are dropping off a toy to stay and check out our office amenities that keep patients of all ages entertained and comfortable before, during and after their appointment,” added Carlson. “We offer complimentary beverages, neck pillows, back pillows, cozy blankets, earbuds, free WiFi, and even fidget spinners!”

Elmwood Dental Group LLC is a full-service dental, cosmetic and restorative practice dedicated to providing comprehensive, quality care with compassion. Since 1982, the friendly, family-oriented practice has proudly served the West Hartford, Newington, and Hartford, CT communities with patient education and oral care services for patients of all ages. The office is located at 1132 New Britain Ave. in West Hartford. Convenient appointments are available Monday- Friday.  For more information, visit www.elmwooddentalllc.com or call (860) 331-8748.

PHOTO: Last year, the compassionate team at Elmwood Dental Group LLC in West Hartford collected 75 toys for the annual Connecticut Children’s Medical Center “Spread the Love” toy drive. This year, the practice hopes to top that total by accepting donations from February 5 through Friday, March 6, 2020.  Pictured is Dr. Rupal Patel, one of the dentists at Elmwood Dental Group.

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Submitted by Hartford, CT

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