Are you interested in helping our patients but not able to make the commitment required to become a regular hospital volunteer? Maybe you belong to a group (Girl Scouts, for example) interested in making a difference together? Check out our ideas for special projects, below.

Frequently requested items at UI Hospitals and Clinics:

• Lap robes for our geriatric or psychiatric areas are always in demand. At least 3x3 size, but any size or style is fine. Project Linus has great on-line patterns: The no-sew fleece blankets are especially popular youth projects.
• Single serving convenience foods for our Helen K. Rossi Volunteer Guest House, SICU waiting area, etc. Collect and donate packaged foods like microwave popcorn, snack bars, single-serving fruit cups, etc for our families here.
• Clothing for our clothes closet (patients may have had their clothing damaged from their illness or accident or had it cut off for emergency treatment), we especially need L to 3XL sizes of sweat shirts and elastic waist sweat pants, underwear and bras (sports type is best - basically, the more adjustable the sizing, the better).
• Phone cards for families to keep in touch while they are away from home.
• Consider sponsoring a movie or book drive for our Patients' Library.

Those 14 years of age or older could consider becoming a "Special Visitor" at UI Children’s Hospital, assisting with an activity through the Child Life Program. Information and application materials are available.

There is also a suggested gift list for our Children's Hospital.

The Ronald McDonald House (319-356-3939) has more flexibility in how they utilize volunteers. You might help prepare a meal or do other special activities around the house, and they always have items on their wish list as well.

Send cards to us for distribution to our patients. Thinking of you, wishing you well, and various holiday cards, whether purchased or hand-made, are always a hit. This is a great project for school-age groups.

We accept all kinds of donations, from booties to blankets. We have patterns for hats to be knitted or crocheted for our newborns and the Preemie Project offers patterns for clothing for our preemie babies.

You could even give the gift of life! Become a blood donor, a bone marrow donor, or an organ donor.

Have something else in mind? Please contact us at 319-356-2515 for more information. Volunteer Services can see that various items are distributed appropriately at our hospital and put to good use. Thank you for thinking of our patients!