Christmas in July Donation Drive

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital treats thousands of Tampa Bay’s children every year. Whether they arrive by ambulance, are recovering from open-heart surgery or undergoing cancer treatment, they receive the finest medical treatment, emotional support and loving care available. But they have other special needs - play and distraction from their illness - that are met with the help of generous people throughout the community.

“Medical settings are a new, unfamiliar world for most children,” said Jazleen Vecchiarelli, manager of clinical services for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. “Providing them with fun activities like art and music therapy, developmental play or movie nights can bring a momentary escape from the hospital experience and their illness.”

Join St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s “Christmas in July” donation drive and help provide entertainment and comfort to pediatric patients throughout the year.

Here's how you can make a difference:

-Help brighten the spirits of hospitalized kids by donating a patient experience, activity or distraction item online at StJosephsChristmas.org. Monetary donations can be made in any denomination and are greatly appreciated.

-Become an event sponsor. Corporate sponsorships available stating at just $1,000.

-Start or join a "Christmas in July" team. Host your own online fundraiser and enlist your friends, family and coworkers to meet a goal. Fundraising ideas include bake sales, raffles, jeans day and walk/run/bike activities. For more info, visit StJosephsChristmas.org.

-Join the #Office Challenge. Get your coworkers, classmates, club, team or family together for a friendly competition to see who can raise the most donations or toys to bring some mid-year holiday cheer to kids who need it most. Click Here to register and sign up for your Christmas in July kit. From July 1st- July 27th, each week a winner will be drawn at random for an office treat. At the end of the month, the office or team that raises the most in donations will be the winner of an office lunch party! See website for details and contest rules.

-Prefer to handpick your toys? No problem! We suggest you choose new toys that are entertaining, but also easy to clean. Toys that can be played with while in bed are especially wonderful for children who are limited to their beds. Drop off your donations at the grand finale event and watch the community come together for St. Joe’s Kids. On Friday, July 27th from 7 am to 1 pm, Join Santa, the UnMonsters, and volunteer elves, along with media partners, Fox 13 and Magic 94.9 in the circular drive to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to celebrate and see the results. Celebration activities include check presentations, community partner treats, possible unloading of vehicles by some local celebrities, and much more. Most importantly, the big smiles and waves from our young patients as they watch over the celebration.

This event is sponsored by Magic 94.9!