Denali Advanced Integration to Match Toy for Toy
SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Storm and forward Alysha Clark have teamed up to host the 6th annual Toy Drive benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital. Each year, nearly 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer – and in the United States, cancer is the number one cause of death by disease for children. In conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the virtual Toy Drive will launch Sept. 10 and run through Sept. 30. Clark and the Storm have also teamed up with supporting partner Denali Advanced Integration, which will match the value of every toy donated to kickstart and help fuel our program.
For the past five years, Clark has been a champion for Seattle Children’s, visiting with children and their families. After making initial visits, Clark noticed the need for additional toys and items in the playroom and at the hospital for children and family to use during their stay. Since then, it is estimated that the Toy Drive has provided more than 8,000 toys and items for Seattle Children’s.
The success of each Toy Drive comes as a result of support from the Seattle Storm fans, organization, and Clark and her teammates.
“Alysha has always found a way to connect with people. Seeing her get to know the kids and the families at Seattle Children’s has been such an amazing experience,” Storm guard Jewell Loyd said. “The Toy Drive represents her heart and she continues to give out of love. She provides a sense of comfort, hope, and joy that is hopefully felt through every toy and every visit.”
“This Toy Drive is very dear to my heart. The impact it’s made for these amazing kids fighting cancer has been so huge,” Clark said. “During the pandemic and fight for racial equality in this country, I want to continue helping spread love and hope, even if it’s virtual. The Toy Drive has taken on a much bigger meaning than being just a toy drive. It provides a laugh when treatments make kids feel not so great; it’s a smile when they’re feeling a little sad; it’s a ‘hug’ for the parents when they’re feeling overwhelmed; and it’s a reminder that there is still a lot of good.”
“Any escape we can offer these courageous kids fighting for their lives is something we should all rally around as a community. The Seattle Storm and Seattle Children’s Hospital are championship organizations in their own right and we are proud to connect with two of our community partners to collectively make a big impact for kids,” said Majdi Daher, CEO and Founder of Denali Advanced Integration.
In place of in-person donations, items this year may be donated online by visiting Alysha’s Seattle Children’s Amazon wish list here.
All donated items will be shipped directly to Seattle Children’s. Among the greatest needs for Seattle Children’s are books, Nerf basketball sets, origami kits, stuffed animals, kinetic sand, hair products, and $10 Amazon gift cards. For those without an Amazon account or wishing to make a financial contribution, Clark has teamed up with Seattle Children’s to create a fundraising page found here.
Those donating are asked to not wrap items or include action figures with violent themes, such as guns, knives or swords. Please make sure they are new items, as Seattle Children’s can’t accept used toys or toiletries due to infection control and allergies. This includes stuffed animals that haven’t been played with unless they have been stored in airtight containers. Donations purchased outside of Alysha’s Amazon Wish List should be shipped directly to Seattle Children’s Hospital at 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 Attention: Alysha Clark/Volunteer Services.
To view a complete list of needs, click here.
ABOUT SEATTLE CHILDREN’S
Seattle Children’s mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Together, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Research Institute and Foundation deliver superior patient care, identify new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and raise funds to create better futures for patients.
Ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country. As one of the nation’s top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children’s Research Institute is internationally recognized for its work in neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious disease, injury prevention and much more. Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation works with the Seattle Children’s Guild Association, the largest all-volunteer fundraising network for any hospital in the country, to gather community support and raise funds for uncompensated care and research. Join Seattle Children’s bold initiative – It Starts With Yes: The Campaign for Seattle Children’s – to transform children’s health for generations to come.
For more information, visit seattlechildrens.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or on our On the Pulse blog.
ABOUT DENALI ADVANCED INTEGRATION
Denali is a family-owned, community-driven global technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Denali’s focus on the community has led to impactful partnerships with The Seattle Storm where Denali hosts non-profit organizations and families for Storm home games in the Denali ‘Birds Nest’ section. Denali also holds an annual 5K fundraiser called the Denali Dash where the community comes together to support Seattle Children’s Hospital research and uncompensated care. Learn more at Denaliai.com.
ABOUT THE SEATTLE STORM
The Seattle Storm is a three-time WNBA championship team committed to bringing a premium professional basketball and entertainment experience to a fan base rich in tradition and support. The organization places high value on community and building platforms to positively impact the overall entertainment, attraction and economy of the Puget Sound region. In addition, the Storm is dedicated to local youth development in the areas of fitness and wellness, with a special emphasis on inspiring leadership, motivation and the empowerment of girls and women. For more information, visit StormBasketball.com.