Glue Dots Aids Kohl's Child Life/Expressive Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

On Thursday, December 27, 2012, Glue Dots representatives visited Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to donate Glue Dots products and various craft supplies to the Child Life Specialists staff.  Glue Dots’ donation will be used as part of Child Life’s Expressive Therapy program, which currently consists of 17 staff members whose role is to promote effective coping through preparation, distraction, play, and self-expression activities.

"We are extremely grateful for what Glue Dots has donated to the patients we serve," said Megan Hughes, Resource Coordinator for Children’s Hospital and Health System. "Glue Dots may seem like a minute item when addressing the global needs of a pediatric patient, however, through play and recreation, children are able to express and cope with anxieties related to their hospitalization."

The Child Life/Expressive Therapies program utilizes art therapy techniques with pediatric patients and their families to alleviate the stress of hospital milieu and asses for behavioral change while in the hospital."The projects that these kids work on are therapeutic – physically and mentally," added John Downs, Director of New Product Development. "Glue Dots are viewed as one of the safest adhesives that these kids can use."

"When patients are coming out of surgery or have special needs, it is important to offer easy to use items for success in keeping our kiddos occupied," continued Hughes.  "Glue Dots are a huge hit among the specialists – not only are they clean and mess free, but they're easy to use."

In order to help reduce spending from the department’s limited budget, Child Life Specialists reviewed some of the most frequently ordered items and included Glue Dots on their 2012 "wish list".

Jenny Mueller, Glue Dots Customer Service Manager, added "When we heard Glue Dots were included on their wish list, our employees sprung into action collecting markers, papers, foam shapes, and other crafting materials, including Glue Dots adhesives, to donate to the hospital."

In addition to art and craft supplies, Child Life Specialists are in need of other items such as underwear for all ages 3-18, crayons, coloring books, Latex-Free Band Aids, children’s books, baby rattles, and gift cards to various stores to purchase items for the Child Life playrooms.

Thousands of children are treated each year for all types of illnesses, injuries, birth defects and other disorders.  With only 296 beds, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin had over 24,000 patients in 2011 and over 340,500 children passed through the doors of specialty outpatient clinics.  Care is provided for children from Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and beyond regardless of race, creed, or ability to pay for services.

For more information on how to donate, visit http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/47892/router.asp

To make a monetary donation or gift, visit https://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/33525/router.asp

~The Team at GDI