Published: December 30, 2025
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Norton Children’s Hospital has been awarded a $15,000 Play Grant from The Toy Foundation through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation. The grant will fund safe, inclusive toys and activities designed to help children feel more comfortable during hospital stays.
“Norton Children’s Hospital is honored to receive this grant from The Toy Foundation,” said Heather Stohr, manager, child life therapy, Norton Children’s. “We know being hospitalized can cause anxiety for children. These toys and activities will help ease stress and provide comfort for patients and families during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”
The grant has been used to purchase sensory toys, interactive play items and therapeutic tools that support emotional regulation, cognitive development and social engagement. These resources are being used in high-need areas, including the pediatric intensive care unit, Jennifer Lawrence Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, and oncology, medical/surgical, general pediatrics and burn units. The Children’s Hospital Play Grant Program was created to bring the healing power of play to pediatric patients through projects that incorporate play therapy into care services. These initiatives aim to improve pediatric care and strengthen the social, emotional, physical and educational development of children, particularly those from underserved communities.