Current Projects
We are trying to put together two comfort carts (one for the PICU and one for the Emergency Room). Each cart would be made available to families who have a child who is not expected to make it or has already passed. We will stock it with tissues (the good kind), hot and cold water, tea packets, coffee, cups, and any other item a family might need. This will allow the family to stay near their child during these last moments. This would have been a comfort to us when Alexis passed away. The hospital staff did everything they could to make us more comfortable but a comfort cart would have made everything much easier and more convenient. During times like this the family should not have to worry about things like this and should not feel hurried. By having these items available the families would be more comfortable and wouldn't have to give up these precious moments.
Wesley has designated a special closet for us called Lexi's Closet and our goal is to keep it filled with toys and things for the kids. The staff can get items out for the children as needed to keep them occupied and to make them more comfortable. Those children who are going through a particular rough time or procedure can pick something out to keep and to help make their stay easier.
Holidays
Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, and other holidays are important to most children. Being sick in the hospital on a holiday is not most childrens' idea of a good time. To help make their stay easier we put together gifts for the children that are handed out around major holidays.
Items Needed
- Bouncer seats and swings for Babies (need to be able to remove the cloth or plastic covers so that they can be washed)
- New stuffed animals still in box or with tags
- New toys for ages newborn to teen that are still in the box or with tags
- New craft supplies such as markers, crayons, coloring books, colored pencils, stickers, construction paper, glue sticks, play-doh, and scrapbook kits.
- New books ages newborn to teen.
- New uplifting and colorful posters for the rooms.
- New kids movies (DVDs and VHS).
- Video games and video game consoles.
- Bibles for kids and families and other uplifting items.
- Gas and food cards for the parents to help with expenses.
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, combs, other personal hygiene items, etc.
- Any other items that would help bring comfort to a child and their family while the child is in the hospital.
- Monetary donations are always accepted and used to purchase items such as those listed above.
