Berlin, MD — The TidalHealth Foundation Monday announced the grand opening of a third hospital-based Brooke’s Toy Closet with a ribbon cutting at Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) in Berlin.
This inspiring initiative, joining two already underway at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Maryland and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Delaware, provides brand-new toys to children experiencing care in AGH’s Emergency Department and inpatient units—offering comfort and smiles to young patients during what can sometimes be unsettling hospital stays.
The toy closet is named in memory of Salisbury’s Brooke Mulford, diagnosed at age 4 in 2009 with neuroblastoma, who envisioned that every child should have something joyful to hold onto during their time in the hospital. After she sadly passed away in June 2017, her vision inspired the launch of the first Brooke’s Toy Closet at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and later at TidalHealth Nanticoke.
“Brooke’s simple dream—to bring light into a child’s hospital experience—continues to brighten our lives and the lives of our youngest patients each day. We’re honored to partner with Brook’s mom Amy Mulford to expand this caring initiative to Atlantic General,” said Jessica Hales, President of the TidalHealth Foundation and the health system’s Chief Philanthropy Officer.
Following Atlantic General’s merger with TidalHealth in May 2025, the Foundation began exploring opportunities to bring its Brooke’s Toy Closet program to AGH, offering toys for children to keep upon discharge. Starting this month, any child or family of a child receiving care at AGH can request a toy to provide a small but meaningful moment of joy amid their care experience.
Anyone interested in helping may donate, generally, to Brooke’s Toy Closet or may specify where they wish their donations to go.
There are several ways to contribute to TidalHealth’s Brooke’s Toy Closet initiative:
- Donate Toys in Person.
- Contact the TidalHealth Foundation at 410-543-7140 or foundation@tidalhealth.org to arrange your donation drop-off in Salisbury, Berlin, or Seaford.
- Shop from TidalHealth’s Brooke’s Toy Closet Amazon Wish List.
Choose the hospital you’d like to support and purchase directly from their Amazon Wish List. Your selected items will be shipped straight to the toy closet. Visit tidalhealth.org/toycloset to find the link to the wishlist.
- Make a Financial Contribution.
Visit the online donation page at tidalhealth.org/donate and select Brooke’s Toy Closet as your designation. Or mail a check to: TidalHealth Foundation, 100 E. Carroll Street, Salisbury, MD 21801
“This newest closet reaffirms AGH’s commitment to family-centered care, formalizing our previous toy collection efforts to comfort the children receiving care or visiting a family member in the hospital,” added Don Owrey, MBA, FACHE, Atlantic General Hospital President. “It’s just one of many steps we’re taking to seamlessly integrate services following our partnership, supporting TidalHealth’s dedication to holistic, kid-friendly care.”
