The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle Comfort Toy Drive

May 13, 2026 | Lakewood Ranch

The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle is proud to announce the success of its recent Comfort Toy Drive benefiting pediatric patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Lakewood Ranch Emergency Room. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Lake Club residents, community supporters, and local partners, the drive collected nearly 500 comfort toys, far surpassing its original goal and bringing much-needed comfort to children receiving emergency care.

The Comfort Toy Drive was created to support the youngest patients walking through the doors of the SMH Lakewood Ranch ER, where approximately 10% of daily patient volume is pediatric — equating to roughly 6 to 8 children each day. These donated comfort items will help ease fear, provide distraction, and offer reassurance to children during what can often be a stressful and unfamiliar emergency room visit.

Stacy Corley, President of Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, shared her appreciation for the initiative and its impact on local families. “The support of The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle is incredibly meaningful as we continue our commitment to providing compassionate care throughout our community. These toys will bring comfort and joy to many pediatric patients and their families during their time with us. We appreciate the generosity and kindness of the Giving Circle members.”

The Sarasota Memorial Hospital Lakewood Ranch ER is uniquely equipped to care for pediatric patients and is recognized for its commitment to high-quality emergency care for children. The facility proudly participates in the Pediatric Readiness Score, a national benchmark that evaluates how prepared emergency departments are to care for infants, children, and teens. This distinction reflects the hospital’s dedication to ensuring young patients receive specialized care tailored to their needs.

The impact of this drive is especially meaningful considering the scope of care provided at the Lakewood Ranch ER. The emergency department includes 21 total patient rooms and has seen as many as 19 rooms in use at one time, underscoring the critical role it plays in serving families

across the region. From everyday childhood illnesses to urgent emergencies, the pediatric team at SMH Lakewood Ranch ER is prepared to provide expert, compassionate care close to home.

Comfort items like stuffed animals, toys, and activity items may seem small, but in an emergency setting, they can make a profound difference. For a frightened child, a soft toy can offer reassurance. For anxious parents, it can bring relief knowing their child is receiving not only medical care, but emotional comfort as well.

Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle member Teresa Meccia, who participated in the drive as well as delivering the toys to the ER, reflected on the experience. “I had such a good time working with Cinda and the other ladies to deliver the toys to SMH ER,” said Meccia. “I was impressed by the staff, who are extremely warm and welcoming, and it felt good to know we played a small part in bringing some comfort to the children who may need their services. Additionally, since I am new to the area, it was valuable to meet medical professionals and learn about the various medical resources available in our community.”

The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle extends heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this initiative possible. Together, the community turned a simple toy drive into a meaningful act of kindness that will continue to comfort children and families long after the final donation was delivered.