Midland Grandma Rallies Community to Donate Bears for Young Hospital Patients
Hundreds of them came-some large, some small, some brown, some white but all soft and cuddly.
Due to the compassion and generosity of this community and the perseverance of an energetic grandmother supported by Midland's Temple Beth El, new stuffed animals have found their way into the arms of children receiving care at the Medical Center. This community outpouring of support began because Ina (Zebrak) Van Alst's grandchild, Sara, received a stuffed bear during a medical emergency a few years ago.
"An ambulance driver gave her the bear," Van Alst said. "I saw how important this brown bear was to her then and how important it has remained. She has had many stuffed animals since then but this one is her favorite. The bear even has his own stuffed car seat complete with pink straps so it can travel with her in the car," Van Alst admitted with a smile.
That situation sparked Van Alst to come up with the idea of a stuffed animal drive, which she called 'Have a heart, give a bear.' She presented the idea to the board of Midland's Temple Beth El of which Van Alst is board president. They adopted the idea as their year-long community service project. Temple Beth El began the drive with members donating the first 50 to 60 stuffed animals.
Van Alst added that she then contacted area churches, the American Legion and other civic organizations asking them to help donate new stuffed animals so other sick and upset children have something to hold and comfort them. An article on her effort also appeared in the Midland Daily News.
"I was amazed by the responses, Van Alst admitted. "I had everything from lawyers giving me money to buy the stuffed animals to some individuals making them with their own hands. Even Sara's Daisy Troop at Adams Elementary joined in the effort."
The distribution of new stuffed animals to children receiving care at the Medical Center has been an ongoing project that has been supported generously through grants provided by The Alden and Vada Dow Family Foundations. Responses to Van Alst's request are supplementing their support. More than 7,000 new stuffed animals are distributed annually throughout the Medical Center with the majority handed out to those children receiving Emergency Department care.
"Unfortunately, the sound of crying is not all that unexpected in a hospital emergency room," admitted Karen Lovelace, Emergency Department manager. "Children become frightened, tense and upset when faced with an illness or injury. I can't tell you how much these stuffed animals have helped the children focus on something other that their fear or pain."
It is this refocusing that is not only benefiting the children but the staff as well.
"It is far easier to stitch a calm child clutching a stuffed kangaroo than a child who is crying inconsolably clinging to its mother," Lovelace said. "We had one little girl who received a rabbit while getting her head sutured. When she returned later to get her sutures out, she brought 'Pinky' with her because she said if she 'held real tight, it wouldn't hurt as much'."
When time allows, the staff often provide matching bandages for the animals. It is not uncommon to see a child leaving the Emergency Department, arm in a sling, clutching an animal that has a leg in a sling.
The comfort these animals have brought has also been extended to anxious parents. According to Robin Nelson, manager of patient relations, many of them have taken the time to share their appreciation on patient questionnaires. Comments have included: "The stuffed toy was wonderful; what a great idea; our child even took it to bed with him that night!"
"It is incredible the impact that these stuffed animals have made," Nelson said. "We talk about what we need to provide our patients. And sometimes it is the simplest of things that mean so much-like a warm blanket, a reassuring smile, calling someone by their proper name. Compassion should be present in everything that we do and these stuffed animals are a wonderful example."
Van Alst continues to collect new stuffed animals and periodically drops them off to the Medical Center as they fill her van up.
"It just started with a little brown bear," Van Alst added. "But I saw the impact it made on Sara. I am thankful to all those who have responded to help this effort continue so all ill children have something to hold onto."
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