EMU collaborates with Toys for Mott, brings toys to kids in need

The Eastern Michigan University Credit Union has joined Toys for Mott and Hurley, a toy drive that brings holiday cheer to children spending the holidays at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor and the Hurley Medical Center in Flint. 

Toys for Mott and Hurley is a holiday drive that provides new or unused toys to children who are experiencing extended hospital stays and are unable to spending the holidays at home. The drive has been a project of University of Michigan Credit Union, which runs under the same company as Eastern Michigan University's Credit Union, and its Ann Arbor branches. This year, the Ypsilanti branch on Eastern's campus, which is part of the same credit union, has become part of the effort.

Each year, the credit union collects new and unused toys at a variety of drop-off locations, all marked by a white and green bin. In addition to nine drop off locations at various credit union branches, drop offs can now be done at the EMUCU's office in the university Student Center. The drive began collecting toys Oct. 28 and will continue to do so until Dec. 6. 

“Just the joy it brings children, to see on their face when someone has gifted them something,” Assistant Branch Manager for UMCU Karin Wiles said. Wiles has been helping facilitate Toys for Mott this holiday season.

“Especially the parents," Wiles said, referring to the joy the toys bring to families. "They know it was given out of the kindness of someone’s heart, to help their family when they were in need.”   

After Dec. 6, all of the toys will be collected and sent to C.S. Mott and Hurley Medical. There, a toy store will be set up inside the hospitals, where parents of sick children can get presents for their kids, free of charge, without leaving the building. Organizers of the toy drive hope the project can alleviate part of the emotional, and financial, toll during the holidays.

“Many of the parents … are reluctant to leave their child’s bedside for five minutes, let alone enough time to brave crowded stores for holiday shopping. Many also feel the weight of financial challenges. The Mott Toy Store helps these parents still give their child a holiday experience even while spending their holiday in the hospital," a statement on the Mott Toy Store website reads. 

Each family can get five toys per child in the hospital, and each sibling can get three toys each. Monetary donations can also be made through the Toys for Mott and Hurley website or those who are credit union members can call their favorite branch. Credit union officials can transfer money directly from a member's account to a fund that is specifically used to buy additional toys.

If an EMU student organization has an account with the credit union, they can also make a donation, Wiles said. To do so, a member of the administrative staff or board can go to the EMUCU branch.

Wiles has a personal draw to the project. Her daughter previously spent time at C.S. Mott, although not during the holidays, and Wiles herself was able to receive toys and funding to help her child during her stay. Some of her friends have had children stay at the hospital during the holidays, and have directly benefited from Toys for Mott and Hurley. She hopes that other parents can feel the relief that the program brings.

“I know from experience, just the benefit of not having to worry about going out and shopping for your child and your other children as well is such a huge relief to not have to think about,” Wiles said.

If gifters need some inspiration, the hospital's website includes a downloadable wish list of toys and necessities that can be donated. The site also includes guidelines on shopping selections to facilitate a safe environment for all involved. For example, any handmade, edible, or used toys will not be accepted.

For more information, visit the EMUCU branch or go to the Toys for Mott and Hurley website.