The Holidays from the Heart Program
Childrens Hospital's Shining Example of Family-Centered Care
Frequently Asked Questions


How are the families chosen?
  • Our social workers work with families whose children come to Childrens Hospital for their health care needs. Many of the children have life-threatening and/or chronic medical problems. For the Holidays from the Heart Program, social workers identify families who are financially unable to provide for themselves and their children during the holiday season and invite them to participate in this program.
What size families are available for sponsorship?
  • Our families are defined as "those individuals living in the same home." This allows Mom and Dad to receive something, as well as any full-time occupants such as Grandmother or "adopted" cousins.
  • Families come in all sizes, from a caregiver and child to extended families with many relatives living in the primary home. You can select the size of the family that you would like to sponsor.
How much does it cost to sponsor a family?
  • We recommend spending anywhere from $50-$150 on each member of the family. Since you are able to choose the size of the family that you will be giving to, you can control how much you will be spending overall.
Who are the sponsors?
    Anyone can sponsor a family
  • Divisions, departments, and work areas at Childrens Hospital
  • Individual employees and their families
  • Outside organizations and individuals
May we sponsor more than one family?
  • Yes! Some departments/companies sponsor two or more small families instead of one large family. Others sponsor as many as 10 families or more.
Does the program have any suggestions about what to get for our families?
  • The family wish list provides you with the names, gender, age, size and needs for each family you sponsor.
  • The majority of families request warm clothing for the children. (For health/safety reasons, please no used clothing, toys, or electrical appliances.)
  • Please do not feel obligated to fulfill all items listed. Any gift you give will be most appreciated.
  • Gift certificates to local grocery stores are always a welcome gift. (Please keep in mind that many of our families do not have refrigerators or stoves.)
May I support the program by writing a check or donating online?
  • YES! Your donation is tax-deductible and 100% will go toward sponsoring these families. Volunteer shoppers will fulfill the needs based wish lists with your donation. (Make an online donation on our website or make a check out to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles with a notation of "Holidays from the Heart Program" in the memo line and send c/o Rosalind Grushkin-Holidays from the Heart Program, Mail Stop # 54).
How do the gifts reach the families?
  • Generally, sponsors deliver their gifts to the hospital and the families come later to pick up the gifts. In some instances, if agreeable to the recipient family, arrangements are made for the sponsor to meet the family at Childrens Hospital. Also, sponsors can choose to deliver their gifts directly to the home of the recipient family.


This information is intended to help you enjoy your participation in the Holidays
from the Heart Program. If you have any further questions, please contact the Program director at (323) 660-2450 Ext. 4930 or by e-mail at rgrushkin@chla.usc.edu