What School Supplies Hospitalized Kids Need Most
While many kids are heading back to school, families with a child in the hospital are focused on treatments and care - not shopping for the most needed school supplies.
That's why hospitals and patients often rely on donations to make sure kids have what they need to keep learning when they're navigating serious illness
Doing School in the Hospital
When kids are hospitalized, it disrupts their entire routine and rhythm they are used to. While school days have a clear start and end, the hospital runs 24/7. Without structure, it can feel endless and extremely disorienting.
Navigating serious illnesses can be extremely difficult for families. Hospital staff work hard to support kids and families throughout the school year. Caroline Ray, M.Ed, Educational advocate and Hospital Teacher, shares her experience:
“Being in the hospital can be scary for our patients, so we seek to support our patients and bring some normalcy through school sessions while they are working on their medical rehabilitation. Most of the families we serve we are meeting them on their worst day following a very traumatic event.”
Resources like donated backpacks and school supplies can bring kids a sense of normalcy. They can also be a huge relief for families too, especially those navigating chronic illness.
Between appointments, tests and procedures, a lot of families don’t have time to get school supplies for their children. Or if they do make it to the store, sometimes the supplies are out of stock.
Peyton Gelley, Child Life Specialist and Starlight’s Manager of the Families Program shares:
"These families are often stretched thin, not just financially, but emotionally, physically, and mentally. Even something seemingly small, like back-to-school shopping, is an added stress during an already overwhelming time.”
How You Can Help
Donate a Backpack with School Supplies Through Starlight
Help provide seriously ill kids with a sense of familiarity and lift weight off their parents’ shoulders.
Starlight has backpacks filled with school supplies, ready to send. With your donation, we can deliver them to patients and families across Starlight's nationwide hospital network of over 800 hospitals and medical facilities.
Each child will receive a 17" Backpacks in Assorted Designs. They will also receive School Supply Kits, which include:
(2) Notebooks
(4) Folders
(1) Clear Pencil Case
(5) #2 Pencils
(5) Pens
(3) Highlighters
(2) Large Erasers
(5) Pencil Cap Erasers
(10) Crayons in a box
(10) Colored Pencils in a box
(1) 5 Inch Scissors
(1) Pencil Sharpener
(2) Glue Sticks
(1) 8-Inch Ruler
“Kids [in the hospital] are excited because it's something new for them — a new year, new start, new backpack — with all these fun things inside that are going to help them be good students. I think it's motivating for them. It makes them feel special and cared about.”
- Kalyn, Hiro's Mom
Donate today to help deliver a Starlight backpack. You'll help hospitalized kids feel confident, motivated and ready for back-to-school.
