It's time to be amazing again people. The Child's Play site is updated and open for business. You know the drill by this point. Select a hospital from the map and then choose a toy for them.
in addition to toys sent directly to the hospitals we also receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash donations every year. We then divide this money up and dole it out to various hospitals throughout the year. One such hospital that received a grant from Child's Play (that is to say you guys) was the Hospital for Special Care in Connecticut. They specialize in a lot of different types of treatment including what they call "medically complex pediatrics". We recently received a thank you letter from them and since it's your money they are thanking us for I thought I should share it with you.
Hi, Kristin,
I thought I'd bring you up to date on what we're doing with the funds
from your grant. We bought a number of handheld video games which can
be loaned to patients who are confined to their beds. In addition, we
bought a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit. This is a HUGE success and we will
probably buy several more. Not only are they suitable for recreation,
but they serve a therapeutic purpose as well. We have discovered that
spinal cord injured patients can sit on the Fit's balance board and
work on core balance by playing the games. Although we had initially
thought we'd buy computer equipment, this is a much better use of the
funds, and, I hope, you'll "approve." So, in addition to the library
reaping the benefits, we are able to get the equipment out to where
the patients live at our hospital - on the units and in the gyms.
Thank you again for the generosity of Child's Play. I hope that, in the
future, we might be able to apply for additional funds. There are
plans to convert space into a patient recreation center and we would like
to include additional games, equipment, etc. that would enhance their
quality of life.
Best,
Amy
Amy L. Frey, MA AHIP
Manager, Health Sciences Library & Resource Center
Hospital for Special Care
2150 Corbin Avenue
New Britain, CT 06053
I wanted to mention this because I understand that the way things are right now, buying toys for sick kids might not be an option no matter how much you'd like it to be. I wanted to make sure you knew that even giving a couple dollars to Child's Play helps out. Trust me when I tell you that it all adds up and as you can see by the mail above it really makes a difference. You guys have never ceased to amaze me with your generosity and I'm sure 2008 will be no different.
-Gabe out
