Cops care for Kids! Updated 03/06/11What a day!!! Cops Care For Kids at Maria Fareri Children's Hopsital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla!!! 12/22/10
(In Picture from Left to Right)Officer Robert Eggering, EMT Travis Wilber, Patrolman Robert Sisco, Officer Aaron McGrady, EMS Supervisor Donald Marshall, Lieutenant John Norton
On December 22nd, 2010 Cops care for Kids headed down to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital with 4 Police Officers, 3 Volunteers, 2 E.M.T's.....and Me with a Build-A-Bear in front of a tree!!! Things couldn't have gone better. We arrived with bags full of toys donated from Steven Fanning and Jimmi Sisco of Concept Packaging in Newburgh NY, Police Officer Teddy Bears from the Build-A-Bear workshop in Middletown, NY donated by Officer Robert Eggering, Chief Perry Soule and the Town of Rosendale PBA, and a musical duet of Lt. John Norton on an acoustic guitar and his talented daughter Gabriella singing. The event was made possible by the wonderful hospital staff and security team lead by Anthony Ledee who accommodated us. Most importantly was the Child Life Department who helped put this event together. So a special Thank you to Tricia Hiller, Gabrielle Grimaldi-Bellettieri, Marci Lewis, Laurie Park, Jeannie Sweeney and Lauren Brown. These lovely ladies escorted us around for hours so we could visit every child in the hospital, all 100 of them! Everyone received a gift, some words of encouragement and lots of hugs!!! I want to thank everyone else who I may have forgotten to mention, but you all have helped these kids so much that no words can express my gratitude. Please enjoy the pictures, there are a lot of 'em!!!
Here we are arriving at the hospital in The Village of Kiryas Joel Department of Public Safety Mobile Command Center. Thanks to Director Moses Witriol for allowing us to use the Center for our various events
Inside the Mobile Command Center the team was hard at work dressing the bears.....
.....Meanwhile I was hard at work sampling some of my culinary creations.
But when it came time to delegate my authority I was barking out orders!!!
And here we have a finished Town of Rosendale PD Bear!!
Officer McGrady put together the boxes....
...And Officer Eggering and EMT Wilber put the Bears in their "homes"
Lieutenant John Norton and his Daughter Gabriella getting ready to perform
Lt. Norton loading up toys with his helper elf Andrea
Officer McGrady and I unloading the center with the help of Photographer KristinaYoung
Once inside the hospital we couldn't resist the incredible photo opportunities!! The fish tank in the lobby was huge!
Just two of the five carts of toys!
While we were in the lobby this beautiful little girl was being discharged after a six month stay! What a perfect time to give a parting gift!!!
All the children really enjoyed my reading of "T'was the Night before Christmas". And yes they have a real fire truck inside the hospital!
Everyone got into the Holiday spirit once Lt. Norton and his daughter Gabriella started belting out "Feliz Navidad" and "Jingle Bell Rock"!!!
EMT Wilber "Deputizing" this brave little girl with an official Cops Care For Kids Badge! She even got one for her brother!
Gabriella looks to her father for rhythm while singing "Jingle Bells"
Little "Robert" loved his Toys!
This little boy loved his pop up book!
Tricia, the Director of Child Life, leading us to the many rooms of little children anxiously awaiting their gifts!
Cops Care for Kids got a healthy handshake and a big Thank You from this Town of Carmel Police Officer who was visiting his child. I believe we may have found another volunteer!
My Favorite Picture!!! There is no "I" in "TEAM"!!! Everyone did their part and I thank you guys sooooo much!
....And after a long day we got to reflect on the many children and adults that we brought a little bit of hope to that day. If we took your picture and you would like to have it uploaded please e-mail me. Thanks again to everyone who helped and to my Cops Care For Kids Team!!!
