TidalHealth Foundation Launches Brooke’s Toy Closet at Atlantic General Hospital

TidalHealth cut the ribbon to open a new Brooke’s Toy Closet at Atlantic General Hospital on August 25. On the line were, from the left, Hillary Mozeik, Executive Assistant/Donor Relations Coordinator, Jackie Shockley, AGH Thrift Shop Co-Manager, Toni Keiser, AGH Vice President of Public Relations, Don Owrey, AGH President and CEO, Charleen Kuhblank, AGH Auxiliary President and Thrift Shop Co-Manager, Laurie Ondo, President, Brooke Mulford Foundation, Amy Mulford, Brooke’s Mother and Founder, Brooke Mulford Foundation, Bud McGinnis, AGH Maintenance Mechanic, Jessica Hales, TidalHealth Foundation President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Emily Tunis, Chairperson of the AGH Foundation, Michael Polito, AGH Plant Operations Manager, Laura Powell, AGH Community Relations Officer and Tori Mueller,TidalHealth Donor and Data Analyst.


BERLIN-The TidalHealth Foundation today 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. Her vision inspired the launch of the first Brooke’s Toy Closet at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in 2017 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 Brooke’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."