A hospital stay can be a very traumatic experience. And for children, the experience can be even more intimidating. To help children better cope with their concerns, Guideposts has created the Guideposts for Kids Comfort Kit.
On Tuesday, August 31st, representatives from Guideposts will be providing Comfort Kits to children at Holtz Children’s Hospital, located at 1611 N.W. 12th Avenue, at an event with the Florida Marlins. With the help of Billy the Marlin, Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez and members of the Marlins Ayudan front office volunteer program, the Comfort Kits event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. ET, with Marlins representatives arriving at 11:00 a.m. ET. Any media covering the event is asked to arrive first at the hospital’s Alamo Building.
Each Comfort Kit includes special items designed for children to interact with, and use to reassure and comfort them, such as Sparkle, a warm friendly star-shaped pillow for comfort, a personal name tag, an “I’m Special” bracelet, a stand-up sparkle prayer card, stickers, stress ball, a journal that not only tracks a child’s hospital stay, but also invites a child to express their hopes, wishes and concerns, and more. Offered to children by the hospital chaplains, nurses, child life, or volunteers, more than 38,000 Comfort Kits have been distributed to more than 100 hospitals.
“Leading the Comfort Kit program has allowed me to directly and indirectly bring joy to hurting children and comfort to concerned parents through a fun, creative non-traditional approach. My ultimate objective is to communicate that there’s a community that cares about them and their situation whether they know us or not,” said Rhonda Neal, Manager of Outreach Services, Guideposts.
“We are always proud of the cutting-edge treatments and world-class medical expertise offered at Holtz Children’s Hospital, however, it’s the compassionate, personal touch that our pediatric patients will truly remember. We are privileged to provide the Guideposts’ comfort kits to our children as another tool for their recovery. We also thank Guideposts and the Florida Marlins for making Kid Appreciation Day spectacular,” said John A. Brandecker, M.B.A., M.P.H., senior vice president and chief administrative officer of Holtz Children’s Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Hospital Center.
“We are proud to be associated with this heart-warming initiative,” said Alex Morin, Player Relations Coordinator, Florida Marlins. “The Marlins actively advocate leadership through community support and this event will allow us to support our community by enhancing the lives of children in a hospital setting.”
For all three sponsoring organizations, service is the name of the game. According to a survey by U.S. News and World Report, Holtz Children’s Hospital is among the country’s elite when it comes to treating kidney disorders in children and providing intensive care to the tiniest babies. Holtz is one of the largest children’s hospitals in the southeast United States. Located at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, it is known worldwide for its team of pediatric specialists experienced in treating children with all types of needs — from routine care to life-saving procedures.
The Florida Marlins have long been committed to a high level of community service. Their Foundation supports health, education, arts and sports initiatives for kids, and Marlins players often make appearances at special events.
Guideposts, founded more than 60 years ago by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and his wife Ruth, is a non-profit organization that touches millions of lives every day through products and services that inspire, encourage, and uplift. The organization’s Comfort Kit program joins an array of programs and services providing ecumenical spiritual and personal support.
The August 31st event reflects the growing trend of partnerships among community organizations to serve their most vulnerable and at-risk children and their families. Kids Appreciation Day will deliver a generous measure of joy and hope to the young patients and their families served by Holtz Children’s Hospital.
Contact:
John McCartney
Guideposts
jmccartney@attentionusa.com
(917) 512-2129