Our Gifts Give Back

The Project

From empty courtyard to a place to play and grow.

Our pediatric therapy program is in high demand, and kids receiving physical, occupational and speech therapy deserve a space as engaging as the progress they’re making. This renovation will turn an underused courtyard into a safe, welcoming environment that doesn’t exist anywhere else in our facility.

What’s Coming to the Courtyard

• Sensory-friendly playground with therapeutic play equipment
• Safe surfacing of artificial turf and rubber, so kids can run, jump and climb with confidence
• Accessible walkways designed for therapeutic activities
• Shaded seating for families and caregivers
• Space for structured therapy and play-based therapy, side by side
• Raised garden beds that connect to our adult occupational therapy program and support fine motor skills, strength, coordination and focus
• Shaded staff tables so the people who care for our patients have a place to recharge

Why Outdoors?

Therapy feels different outside.

Outdoor spaces turn clinical goals into natural, engaging play. Here’s what that can mean for the kids we serve:

• Stronger bodies. Running, climbing and uneven surfaces give children deep-pressure and balance challenges that build motor planning and coordination.
• Sensory confidence. Wind, sunlight, textures and nature sounds help children gradually adjust to sensations that can feel overwhelming.
• Calmer minds. Natural settings support emotional regulation and can ease anxiety and restlessness.
• More motivation. When therapy feels like play, kids are often more willing to jump in.
• Creative thinking. Sticks, dirt, and water invite imagination and problem-solving.
• Better social skills. Playing alongside peers builds communication, teamwork and patience, which carry over to school and home.
• Skills that stick. Practicing goals like following directions or gross motor tasks in real-world settings helps kids use them in everyday life.

Funding

We’re more than halfway there.

The courtyard will cost an estimated $90,000, including demolition and improvements. The Fisher-⁠Titus Foundation’s Pediatric Fund has already committed $50,000. We’re asking our community to help raise the remaining, through monetary or in-kind contributions. Thank you to the Lions Club, Norwalk Eagles, Schlink, and Huron County Community Foundation for contributing to this project.

Any funds raised beyond our goal will support future pediatric therapy renovations, including the pediatric therapy gymnasium and waiting room.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does shopping at the Gift Shop help?
Funds raised from Gift Shop purchases support projects that benefit the pediatric therapy courtyard.

Where will the courtyard be, and when will it open?
The courtyard is located at Fisher-⁠Titus Medical Center in Norwalk. Construction is estimated to be completed in early November 2026 and total completion in Spring 2027.

Can I make an in-kind donation instead of a monetary one?
Yes. We welcome in-kind contributions of materials, equipment or services. Contact Alexis Danhoff at adanhoff@ftmc.com or call 419-660-4765 to talk about how you can help.

What happens if we raise more than $40,000?
Additional funds will go toward future pediatric therapy renovations, including the gymnasium and waiting room.

Who will use the courtyard?
Children in our physical, occupational and speech therapy programs will be the primary users. The raised garden beds will also support our adult occupational therapy patients, and our staff will have a place to take a break.

Help us build a place where kids can play, grow and thrive.

Whether you shop, give or spread the word, you’re helping children get the care they need in a space that makes it feel like play.

Visit the Gift Shop at 272 Benedict Ave, Norwalk, OH 44857. Enter through the Patient Pavilion. Open Monday, Wednesday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.