Yale Athletics to Partner with Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary “Toy Closets” Program at Upcoming Men’s Hockey and Basketball Games

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Yale University Athletics Department will team up with the Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary “Toy Closets” program by collecting new, unwrapped toys at upcoming men’s hockey and men’s basketball home games. Fans can exchange donations for the “Toy Closets” program for one general admission ticket to either contest.

The first collection will take place in conjunction with the men’s hockey game against Clarkson on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. Donations will be collected in the Athletics Ticket Office from Feb. 15-19 in exchange for one complimentary general admission ticket per donation. Complimentary tickets cannot be provided on game day, but fans will still have the opportunity to make donations at Ingalls Rink.

On Friday, March 5, the men’s basketball game against Columbia will serve as the second donation date. Fans attending the 7 p.m. contest may bring a donation to the John J. Lee Amphitheater on game day in exchange for one complimentary general admission ticket per donation.

The Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary's Toy Closets program was developed to provide new, age-appropriate and educational toys to pediatric patients at the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. Founded in 1993 by Ann Nyberg, WTNH News Channel 8 anchorwoman, the Toy Closets help insure that pediatric patients come away from their hospitalization with a pleasant memory. In addition, the toys serve as gifts for special occasions such as birthdays and holiday celebrations for hospitalized children.

Toys, gifts and financial contributions are needed throughout the year. The success of the Toy Closets program is directly related to community involvement. The Auxiliary encourages schools, organizations and businesses to make the program the recipient of their community-minded efforts.