By Anita Todd
WINTER HAVEN – A trip to the emergency room can be frightening for anyone, especially babies and children. To help ease those fears, employees, residents, and the local Walmart have teamed up with the Winter Haven Hospital to provide toys for young patients visiting the Emergency Department.
A Toy Drive was launched by the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation on May 28 with stacks of toys ready to comfort and distract little boys and girls during their visits while also helping nurses and doctors build trust with their youngest patients.
“When a child comes to any emergency department, it can appear to be a scary, intimidating place,” said Wayne Olson, President/CEO of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation. “We always want their parents to know their child is getting the best care possible. However, it is equally important for the child to know the people in the room with them care about them. A toy is a wonderful way to build trust and a bond. It shows care and concern.”
Studies have shown that play therapy in a hospital setting reduces anxiety and negative emotions and also helps children express and communicate their feelings and emotions through toys.
Olson said the Foundation got involved after he spoke with Marta Mendoza, Director of Emergency Service for the Winter Haven Hospital.
“A few months ago, I was having a casual conversation with Marta when she told me how important it would be for the Emergency Room to be able to give toys to children. Not long after that I talked with my friend at Walmart and a few other friends of the Foundation, and we all decided we could make a difference together,” Olson said.
What started with two colleagues led to the recent Toy Drive as well as the previous donations of toys.
At the Toy Drive, Tom Garthwaite, President of Winter Haven Hospital, and BayCare Health System, welcomed Jerry Esquivel, Store Manager of the Winter Haven Walmart, and about twenty elves – also known as store employees – as they paraded into the room with arms full of gifts.
The gifts from Walmart were stacked next to those already collected from employees and local residents. From Barbies to Star Wars action figures to baby dolls to stuffed puppies, dozens of gifts were donated. WWF wrestlers, coloring books and crayons, and stacks of gifts for infants and toddlers were given too.
“We have a great relationship with our local Walmart, and we are pleased to have them as the sponsor of this Toy Drive event,” Garthwaite said. “It’s like Santa’s sleigh just passed through.”
Walmart’s donations at the Toy Drive added up to more than $1,000 in toys which was a surprise for the ED.
“We especially liked the idea of surprising the Emergency Department team with a grand kick off. They really are unsung heroes. As much as they want children to know they care about them, we wanted the fantastic people in the Emergency Department to know we as a community support them and care about them,” Olson said.
Last October, the Winter Haven Hospital added pediatric emergency observation services and telehealth support to the Emergency Roomcreating the need for toys.
Although the Toy Drive was a big success, collecting toys for the ED will be an ongoing effort since the toys will need to be “refilled” as they are given to the patients.
“The events of last week were just the kick-off. This is a program that happens every day and will continue forever. For our event on May 28, the goal was to get us started in a big way, and to have enough toys for every age group so we would be set for a while as we grow the program,” Olson said.
T. Michael Stavres, Winter Haven City Manager and member of the Coastal Acoustic Barefoot Music, has also committed to donating the band’s tips to the Toy Drive, as well.
The Foundation has made donating a toy easy for anyone who would like to do so.
“We have QR codes (included with this article) on pamphlets throughout our hospital and website and where people can give a toy anytime. Through our partnership with Walmart anyone can purchase a toy (approved as safe by our Emergency Department) and Walmart will deliver it directly to the hospital,” Olson said.
For more information, call Olson at 863.292.4334
