Hospitalized children sometimes have special needs that can be met through the generosity of individuals, families, schools and organizations. Sharing of your time and talents can help make a child’s recovery a more comfortable and positive experience.
We also greatly appreciate the interest of young people. Scout troops, groups from churches and synagogues, and school classes can bring so much to our patients’ lives through their donation of time. Instilling the importance of philanthropy at an early age fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between volunteer and patient. Volunteer hours outside the Hospital, to benefit our children, make a significant contribution to our patients and can be considered service hours.
Spotlight on Kids Helping Kids..
When child actors Rory and Declan McTigue celebrated their sixth birthday last year, they decided to do something more meaningful than simply have a birthday party with friends and family. The twin brothers, who appear regularly on TV shows including All My Children and Law & Order, chose to forgo any birthday presents and instead asked their friends and family to make donations to Blythedale Children’s Hospital. Last December, Rory and Declan visited Blythedale to present nearly $2,000 they received in donations made to the Hospital in honor of their recent birthday.
“This was certainly a very special donation. We are especially grateful for Rory and Declan for making this all happen,” said Betsy Bowman, Chief Development Officer for Blythedale Children’s Hospital.
While visiting Blythedale, Rory and Declan, along with their parents, toured the Hospital and met with some of the children in the Early Intervention program. “What a wonderful experience this was for our sons to see first hand the tremendous work done by Blythedale’s staff to help brighten the lives of children,” said Sylvia McTigue, the mother of Rory and Declan.
The identical twins, who are residents of Chester, NY, have appeared in numerous TV shows as well as advertisements for major retailers. The twins will appear in the upcoming HBO series Boardwalk Empire which is being produced by Martin Scorsese.
The donation was applied toward Blythedale’s Journey of Hope Campaign in support of a new sibling playroom at the Hospital.
13-year-old Dani Lewittes, a Manhattan resident, recently donated $4,500 to the Blythedale Children’s Hospital in support of the Hospital’s Parent Transportation Fund. The generous teen designated a portion of the gifts she received at her Bat Mitzvah to assist in providing family members of patients with assistance in getting to Blythedale for caregiver training programs.
“It’s so important for the parents to have access to the Hospital so that they can see their kids whenever they want and get the help they need to care for their kids when they get ready to leave the hospital,” said Lewittes, a student at The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York. “I love helping kids, especially when they really need it.”
Blythedale’s Parent Transportation Fund helps parents and caregivers with the means to obtain transportation to the Hospital in order to participate in parent training programs twice a week. As patients are admitted to Blythedale from throughout the greater metropolitan region, providing transportation opportunities to caregivers is a vital part of the Hospital’s outreach.
Lewittes originally came to Blythedale as part of UJA-Federation of New York, looking for a way in which she could help children in need. Through the organization’s “Give a Mitzvah – Do a Mitzvah” program, Lewittes was put in contact with Blythedale Children’s Hospital, a beneficiary of UJA-Federation. A tour of the facility solidified her decision to support Blythedale.
“Visiting Blythedale touched me in a deep way,” she said. “It showed me how that even in the most devastating situations there is hope. The staff at Blythedale performs miracles with kids every day.”
“We are so appreciative of this very special and personal donation, said Betsy Bowman, Chief Development Officer for Blythedale Children’s Hospital. “Dani is an extraordinary young woman who serves as a role model to her peers. It is especially heart-warming to see such dedication to helping others in one as young as Dani.”
Lewittes is hopeful that her donation will inspire others to follow her lead. “I hope I will inspire other bar or bat mitzvah kids to visit Blythedale to see the amazing things that occur there and to see first-hand the kids who are lucky enough to receive the incredible care that Blythedale offers them,” she said. “It’s good to know that I was able to help in some way."
Ideas for Volunteer Projects Include...
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Prepare Activity Boxes or items for the children in our outpatient waiting area. These should be assembled with all items required for the activity. (For instance, coloring pages with crayons, word puzzles with a pencil or crayon, small cars or animals with paper tracks, craft project with all necessary materials)
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Participation in our fundraising activities (like our annual walkathon) or conduct a fundraising activity of your own
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Gather new children’s clothing (infant sizes through teenagers)
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Gather new books and videos/DVD’s (rated G, PG or PG13 only) and video games (E rated only) for all ages through teen years
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Gather new toys (excluding stuffed animals, toys containing latex & violent toys)
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Organize and present entertainment or a party for the children
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Prepare Welcome Baskets for new patients (toothbrush, comb, brush, shampoo, address book, pens, pencils, stationery, etc.)
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Create Busy Boxes
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Infant: rattles, pacifiers, bibs, shirts, caps, booties
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Toddler: bubbles, telephone, picture book, push cars, mirror, brush
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Pre School: crayons, bubbles, playdoh, simple book, simple puzzles, washable magic marker
Group Volunteers
Group volunteer activities might include hosting a special-themed party, or providing entertainment or an activity for children. Arrangements can be made by contacting Director of Community Relations Lena Cavanna at (914) 592-7138, ext. 374 or email to lenac@blythedale.org
Contact Us
If you would like to make a gift, please click here, or contact Chief Development Officer Betsy Bowman at (914) 592-7138, ext. 411, or email to betsyb@blythedale.org
