The Coronakindness Facebook page asks for donations of books, puzzles, toys, and blocks for families with disabled or developmentally delayed children, birth to three years.
Summit County Health Department's Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologist Lori Henson says they serve about 75 families in their homes, using a medical model that provides early interventions in physical, occupational, speech, and nursing therapies.
"We need books and toys, blocks, puzzles that are appropriate for birth to three. A lot of our families don't have the means to purchase these items, so we end up leaving items with them. And we get these items from donations. We also work with the Christian center to get donations from them."
Summit County Early Intervention Director Jackie Swan says the pandemic has been uniquely difficult for families with medically fragile children. She says parents are trying to juggle working from home or being out of work while managing children with special needs.
"During COVID, our families with children with disabilities have had a much harder time being able to go into the community to access toys, and it's been challenging for them to take care of their children."
Families are extremely grateful for the donations as Swan explains:
"I just delivered, actually right before this, I just delivered a slide to a family with a little kid with a seizure disorder, and the mom just send me a video of the kid climbing up it and she was almost in tears. I mean, I think there's so many things that you can do just to be helpful, right? And we're doing everything we can to try to impact these families."
They're looking for simple wooden puzzles, books, and blocks of all shapes and sizes, which will be distributed quickly to families in Summit and Wasatch Counties. Items should be clean and safe, and in working order. There is a front porch drop off in The Ranch Place Neighborhood. Message the administrator on the coronakindness Park City Facebook page for details. A drop-off bin is located inside the Summit County Health Department's front door, and they'll even come to pick up donations from your front porch. Call Lori Henson to schedule a pick up at 435-400-0460.
Find links to the coronaKindness Facebook page and the Summit County Early Intervention website
