Victor Gabriel Thomas Phonaz, 8, of Lehigh Acres, fills out his new stuffed animal's birth certificate while Joey Rambow, 14, of Cape Coral, and Chris Ramos, 14, of Fort Myers, assist the patient at HealthPark Medical Center.
Young patients at the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida made new friends recently when volunteers helped children build a stuffed bear.
The patients, who didn't get to go home for the holidays, attended a workshop at the hospital's atrium where they chose to build puppies, kittens and bears.
"It's a good feeling and it puts a smile on their face," said Dawn Broomfield, a parent whose two children stuffed a kitten and a unicorn with volunteers.
Parents were grateful that First Florida Bank's staff, family and friends donated their time because it gave them a break from the everyday hospital run.
"I love children and I think that any kid likes toys and if I can brighten their day it's good," said volunteer Denise Gentile, who works at the bank's Bonita Springs branch. "This helps them have something else to think about other than being sick."
And, sickness was nowhere near anyone's mind as volunteers later visited with children who were bound to their beds.
"This is an opportunity for the business community and people to give back and there are so many sick children that come in and are here through the holidays," said Connie Ramos-Williams, who helped coordinate the event for the hospital and bank.
"The parents have trouble consoling their ailing child and this is a nice half-hour break for them too."
The break was welcomed by parents like Silas Thomas of Lehigh Acres.
His son, Victor, 8, wasn't able to attend the workshop but the volunteers came to him.
"It's very nice and great for him," Thomas said, adding that his son was very excited about hearing he could build a bear.
The patients also had the opportunity to stuff the animals, insert a make-a-wish star or guardian angel inside and design a personal t-shirt for their new friend.
"It's a little break for the child and it's a blessing for the parents," said Ramos-Williams, adding that each child was given a birth certificate for their new friend. "The people giving get so much out of it and as the children come in, they have agreed to come back with more animals."
Debbie Regnone, CEO of locally owned and operated Resorts Sports Inc. located the 50 unstuffed animals for the event.
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