Life 102.5 Listeners Donate Nearly 1,400 Items to Children's Hospital

Donations of toys, games, and creative activities bring comfort and joy to young patients.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 1:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Thanks to the generosity of the community, nearly 1,400 toys, games, and creative activities were donated through Life 102.5's (WNWC) annual Heart for Kids collection drive, bringing comfort and joy to young patients at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison.

Why it matters

For children facing long or unexpected hospital stays, toys and crafts can offer an important distraction, helping make a difficult experience a little more normal and joyful. Hospital Child Life teams rely on donations like these throughout the year to support patients emotionally while they receive care.

The details

Each year, Life 102.5 invites listeners to help brighten the days of children staying at the hospital by donating items such as LEGO sets, activity books, Play-Doh, craft supplies, and other creative toys. Donations were collected through the hospital's Amazon wish list and in person at the Life 102.5 studios.

  • The annual Heart for Kids collection drive took place in 2026.

The players

Life 102.5 (WNWC)

A radio station that hosts an annual donation drive for American Family Children's Hospital.

American Family Children's Hospital

A children's hospital located in Madison, Wisconsin that receives donations from the Life 102.5 Heart for Kids drive.

Paige

A Child Life Specialist at American Family Children's Hospital who expressed gratitude for the donations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am completely blown away by the number of wonderful things we've received and how generous and supportive your listeners have been. The amount of kids who will enjoy these toys is innumerable and makes such a huge impact on not just their hospital stays, but their ongoing lives. It helps the hospital feel like less of a scary place to have to go or be in. The joy on a patient's face when you present them with a LEGO set of their favorite animal, or a sketchbook and markers because they left theirs at home, is indescribable. Those looks are a huge part of why I do my job.”

— Paige, Child Life Specialist at American Family Children's Hospital

The takeaway

This annual donation drive by Life 102.5 demonstrates the power of community support to bring comfort and joy to children facing difficult hospital stays, highlighting the important role that toys and creative activities can play in supporting their emotional well-being.