At Mastermind Toys, we believe that play is kids’ work!

Through play, kids get to discover the world around them, develop life skills, and explore their curiosities and interests in fun, engaging ways.

But for some, experiencing the power of play simply isn’t possible because of financial, social, or cultural challenges, mental or physical health, or other barriers facing Canadian families today.

That’s why we created Play to Give; Mastermind Toys is partnering with national organizations who work directly with kids coast-to-coast in overcoming these barriers. Together, we’re helping kids get back to doing what they do best: playing!

One of our charitable partners is Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (CCHF), a not-for-profit organization that raises funds for a national network of 13 children’s hospital foundations across Canada. CCHF shares our goal of giving back to local communities and supporting kids and their families in impactful ways.

Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (CCHF) is a collective of 13 children’s hospital foundations from across Canada, dedicated to raising funds and improving healthcare for children.

CCHF works with corporate partners to launch fundraising initiatives and run signature programs to raise funds across multiple channels.

From coast-to-coast-to-coast, the need across children’s hospitals is great. Last year alone, Canadian children’s hospitals had nearly three million visits. One hundred percent of all donations remain local, enabling consumers to make a significant impact on the lives of children in their community.

Every single dollar raised goes directly to the local children’s hospital foundation in that community. The team at the hospital foundation distributes the money where it’s needed most.

Here are just a few examples:
•   Revolutionizing treatment and care through research. Your contributions help researchers find new cures and gentler, more effective treatments.
•   Access to the right care in the right place at the right time. Your support helps improve access to healthcare and information to kids who need it, when they need it.
•   Creating healing environments. Your donations support therapies, spaces and equipment that are designed specifically for kids.

At just 8 years old, Darius is one in a million, and has lived his life beating the odds.

Born with Down syndrome and two holes in his heart, Darius has needed specialized care from the day he was born. When he came down with pneumonia at just two-months old, Children’s Hospital in London, Ontario was there to ensure he had everything he needed to stay strong.

After five hours of surgery and two months in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit, Darius made it through. For those months of constant care, Child Life Specialists brought in toys, games, and laughter, even whipping up fun activities for family bonding time with his big brother. They have been there for every life-saving treatment and surgery.

But Darius’ journey didn’t stop there. When benign tumors were found in his brain, as well as his eyes and spine, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder known as progressive, terminal neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) which causes tumors to grow on his nerves.

From the kindness of Family Advisors in the Paediatric Family Resource Centre to the reassurance of the Child Life specialists, the whole family is able to experience comfort and safety even in the face of the unknown.

Because of the incredible team at Children’s Hospital, Darius’ family has a community to lean on as he receives ongoing care.

Donors not only help fund expressive therapy programs, like Child Life and Music Therapy, that help kids get through long appointment days, but also family navigation programming like the Paediatric Family Resource Centre. Supporting programs like these ensures patients, like Darius, and families are cared for.

Mastermind Toys is a proud partner of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (CCHF) in helping kids get back to being kids.

A portion of proceeds from our Play to Give Bear and Moose plush collection is donated to your local children’s hospital foundation. We support CCHF with our Play to Give plush collection all year long, as well as collecting cash donations in-store during the holiday season.

Through our partnership with CCHF, all donations go toward supporting the donor’s local children’s hospital foundation. Visit your local Mastermind Toys store to donate; 100% of donations stay within Canada.

Together, we can make the holiday season a bit brighter by helping kids across Canada get the care and treatment they need.