Joy is medicine.
We deliver toys and Brave Bags to children during cancer treatment and, when funding allows, provide financial assistance to families through social workers at our partner hospitals. Because no family should face cancer alone.
- No paid staff
- Four hospital partners
- Packed by volunteers
Our impact since 2023
What Your Generosity Has Made Possible
Every number represents children supported through the generosity of donors, shoppers, volunteers, and community partners.
Your generosity, in action
See Where Your Generosity Goes
Your donations help our volunteers prepare toys and Brave Bags that hospital teams place directly into children’s hands during treatment. These are some of the children and hospital moments your support has made possible.
Annie at Lurie Children’s
These photographs show what your support can look like inside a hospital room: activities to explore, something to smile about, and care delivered directly to a child during treatment.
Each time Maxwell’s Toy Box donates, their contributions are filled with intention and meaning for the children. Despite the challenges these kids face, the thoughtfully curated toys, books, and gift cards help lift their spirits and bring comfort. We are so grateful for the continued support and love they bring to our families.
Child Life Specialist, Advocate Children’s Hospital
It puts a smile on my face knowing there’s so much love and support out there. But the real blessing is seeing my daughter smile.
Vanessa, Mom to a Childhood Cancer Warrior
From your generosity to their hands
How a Brave Bag Reaches a Child
Each Brave Bag contains sensory toys and activities selected to help reduce stress and anxiety during treatment. Donors fund the supplies, volunteers pack every bag, and hospital teams place them into children’s hands.
Your Donation Funds the Supplies
Donations purchase sensory toys and activities selected to help reduce the stress and anxiety children experience during treatment.
Volunteers Pack Every Brave Bag
Community members, families, and corporate teams organize the supplies and assemble every bag by hand.
Hospital Teams Place Them in Children’s Hands
We deliver completed Brave Bags to social workers and child life teams at four Chicagoland hospitals for children during chemo and infusion appointments.
Maxwell’s Toy Shoppe
Shop for someone you love. Help comfort a child like Emma.
Find toys, books, activities, and faith-based gifts at Maxwell’s Toy Shoppe. Toy Shoppe proceeds help our volunteers pack and deliver Brave Bags to children undergoing cancer treatment.
Shop the Toy ShoppeDelivered through trusted hospital teams
Where All Donations Are Delivered
We work directly with nurses, social workers, and child life teams at four Chicagoland hospitals. Their teams distribute toys and Brave Bags to children during treatment.
Advocate Children’s Hospital
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Advocate Children’s Hospital
Park Ridge, Illinois
Comer Children’s Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
Lurie Children’s Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
How distribution works: Toys and Brave Bags are distributed by nurses, child life specialists, and social workers at our partner hospitals during chemotherapy, extended inpatient stays, and surgeries. Due to limited funding, Maxwell’s Toy Box is not currently accepting individual family requests.
Maxwell’s Toy Box earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest recognition for accountability and mission-driven work. As a volunteer-run organization, 100% of your donation directly supports children, families, and hospitals, bringing comfort, joy, and hope to those bravely battling cancer year-round.
Trusted Partners
How Can You Help Children Battling Cancer
Donate to bring toys to children in cancer treatment. Every dollar counts because cancer doesn’t stop, and neither do we.
Buy a toy from Maxwell’s Toy Shoppe, and 100% of the proceeds help deliver a toy to a child with cancer.
Assemble Joy Packages for children in cancer treatment. Packages help on long chemo and infusion days.