Community has always been at the heart of TOM BIHN. While many of our community efforts happen quietly behind the scenes, we’re continually looking for ways to support organizations doing meaningful work in Seattle and beyond – not just during the holidays, but year-round!
Over the holiday season, we had the opportunity to donate 500 Clear 3D Organizer Cubes to patients and families at Seattle Children’s Hospital – a cause we’re especially proud to support.
In this interview, we sat down with Rachael Odell, the In-Kind Gift Coordinator at Seattle Children’s Hospital, to learn more about the incredible work they do every day, the impact community support can have, and how even small acts of generosity can make a meaningful difference.
Tell us a bit about your role at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
“In my role as the In-Kind Gift Coordinator, I act as the liaison between community members who want to donate items to our patient families and Seattle Children’s Hospital. I am a support for donors and connect with donors over email or the phone, so I can share our needs at the hospital and help answer any questions they may have. We receive over 115,000 donated items from between 650 and 800 donors every year. My job is to make sure all donated items are safe and appropriate for our patient families. If items meet those criteria, items are then delivered to units and departments to distribute to patient families as needed. My goal is to provide patient families with items that can bring comfort, joy, and make families feel a sense of normalcy while they are at the hospital.”
How did the collaboration between Seattle Children’s Hospital and TOM BIHN come to be?
“TOM BIHN staff connected with Seattle Children’s In-Kind Donations program to inquire about donating toiletry bags for families. We can always utilize toiletry bags for families, as we provide families with basic hygiene items every day. We are grateful for the donation!”
How were the Clear 3D Organizer Cubes distributed across the hospital?
“The Clear 3D Organizer Cubes were distributed in three ways. First, more than half of the bags were provided to our Family Resource Center where families go to receive every day hygiene items for their stay at the hospital. This can include a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairbrush, and laundry detergent. The clear cubes were a great addition for families to take with them as they were able to utilize them immediately with the items they picked up from the Family Resource Center. Second, we provided some to our Food Security program, which is another on campus program that provides food and toiletries to families. Like the Family Resource Center, families were able to utilize these cubes immediately as they also selected hygiene products with the Food Security staff. Third, some of the bags were provided to our Child Life team, who were able to pass them directly to patient rooms for use whether that was for hygiene items, personal items, or craft supplies.”
Can you share a moment or a story that captures what the holiday season feels like inside the hospital?
“With our diverse patient population, there are many holidays that are celebrated within Seattle Children’s Hospital. Our donor community is incredibly supportive, with over 60,000 items being delivered in the winter holiday months alone. Our staff do an incredible job of incorporating many holiday celebration gifts, coloring sheets, and items that represent multiple holidays and faiths. We host a Polar Place Market every winter where inpatient families can “shop” for items for their kiddos, much like a toy store. All items are free for our families. Many families express gratitude and share that they would not have the resources to provide gifts to their children and that Seattle Children’s was able to secure gifts for their children, bringing in the holiday magic.”
For people who feel inspired to give back, what are some of the best ways to support Seattle Children’s Hospital?
“There are many great ways to give back! The community can provide in-kind donations, monetary donations, or volunteer weekly to support our patients and families. Below are links for more information on each of those ways to give:”
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Weekly, in-person volunteering: Home
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In-Kind Donations: Toys and Personal Items for Patients and Families - Seattle Children's
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Monetary donations: Donate to Seattle Children's
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One-time volunteer opportunities: Gifts of Service and One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
We’re grateful to the team at Seattle Children’s Hospital for taking the time to speak with us and for the care they provide to children and families every day. Opportunities like this remind us how meaningful community support can be, and we’re proud to continue finding ways to give back throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone in the TOM BIHN community who helps make efforts like these possible.
