“Odin George Foundation Annual Toy Drive Creates Opportunities for Play and Partnership”
 
July 7, 2025, marked two years since our little warrior namesake Odin passed away. In honoring his memory and sharing his story, we also wanted to spread some joy – and what better way than with TOYS! 
 
Odie loved toys, especially switch-adapted monsters and light-up thingies. Adapted toys are activated by large buttons or toggle sticks connected to the toy. Children with complex medical needs and disabilities can use adaptive toys more easily because they don’t require the fine motor skills needed for most commercial toys. This enables not only better play experiences, but it also helps with therapy. Through switch-adaptive toys, children learn cause and reaction and may learn an alternative method of communication.  Switch-adapted toys generally are modified and resold, often with a large markup. Consequently, some families and even therapy centers don’t have the money for a $100 Cocomelon or Bluey toy. 
 
Sharing the smile Odin wore when he played with Dalton the Dragon, Courtney and Mark established an annual toy drive, with toy collection ending on July 7th every year. In year one, they bought a few toys, a couple soldering irons, and solder.  They queued up some YouTube videos from Switched Adaptive Toys and got to work.  That first year, the support for this effort was overwhelming and we were able to donate 75 toys and high-contrast vision therapy books to Children’s Mercy Hospital. 
 
Along with how to nurse finger burns, we also learned that this process is better shared with others – people who share a commitment to children and families with complex medical and special needs. So, this year, the Odin George Foundation partnered with Rockhurst University’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and Switched Adaptive Toys.  And on July 11, more than 50 students and volunteers came together on Rockhurst’s campus and switch adapted more than 60 toys! 
 
Together with Rockhurst, these toys will be delivered to several Children’s Mercy Clinics and to schools in the KC metro area.  Families who have been served by Odin George were also contacted for toy donations.
 
“The Odin George Foundation was created to honor and support children with complex medical needs during their lifetimes and beyond, while also supporting the families and caregivers who accompany them on their journey.”