The sterile, fluorescent halls of the hospital are a daunting place for adults, let alone kids. Yet, every year around 3 million kids are hospitalized. For those facing the scariest times of their lives, a foundation is working to offer encouragement.
“enCourage Kids Foundation’s (EKF) mission is to humanize healthcare for children in hospitals,” says Jean Butler, President and CEO of EKF and former Chief Executive at The Toy Foundation. EKF works with a network of more than 300 U.S. hospitals to bring joy, comfort, and hope to kids during their stays. EKF communicates with its hospital partners directly to address and fulfill each one’s specific needs.
EKF leads several initiatives across the country, and each falls under one of the foundation’s main pillars: Joy, Hope, Resilience, and Healing. Under these pillars, EKF works to provide supplies for hospitals, entertainment for kids, and support for kids and their families.
As part of its desire to build joy, EKF runs the Send a Smile, Send a Bear program, through which it sends teddy bears to hospitalized kids to offer them a comforting friend. Recently, the foundation partnered with FAO Schwarz to expand the program. FAO Schwarz is now selling an EKF-inspired bear, with a portion of the proceeds going to the foundation. People can also donate a bear directly to those in need through EKF’s website. Partnering with an icon like FAO Schwarz is a step toward a larger goal of connecting with those in the business of play.
“EKF seeks to establish closer ties with the toy industry because the well-being of children is at the epicenter of its businesses,” Butler says, “and our shared interests make us natural partners in these endeavors.”
MOMENTS OF IMPACT
When asked about a memorable moment from her work with EKF, Butler recalled a time last year when she and her team met with a music therapist funded by the organization. The therapist told them about two teens who were admitted for suicide attempts who she worked with on an original music composition.
“Before you knew it, they had composed a poignant song about loneliness, love, and hope. She played the song for us and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” Butler recalls. “This was a testament to the depth and breadth of EKF’s work and the life-changing impact our work [has].”
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYFUL PHILANTHROPY
The foundation recently piloted a successful Mental Health Wellness Program and is actively seeking corporate partners to scale it nationally. It’s also opening its Pediatric Hospital Support Program up for sponsors to co-brand areas including Pet Therapy, Technology and Innovation, Creative Arts Therapy, and more.
“EKF offers a myriad of opportunities for [companies in] the toy industry to broaden and deepen their impact, burnish their brands, establish more meaningful relationships with consumers, and foster goodwill in communities,” says Butler. “We hope they will accept our invitation to do good so that children in hospitals will do well.”
Visit encourage-kids.org to learn more and get involved.
A version of this feature was originally published in The Toy Book’s 2024 Specialty Toys & Gifts Issue. Click here to read the full issue! Want to receive The Toy Book in print? Click here for subscription options!
