Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge donates toys to pediatric unit at Beebe Healthcare
Christmas came early to Beebe Healthcare’s pediatric unit at the Medical Center in Lewes recently when members of the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge delivered a bundle of new toys for Beebe’s pediatric patients.
“We truly appreciate the toys and know that they will be well received by our young patients,” said pediatric nurse Mary Koyanagi, RN, who was one of the nurses who attended the presentation. “The children are happy to receive a new toy of their own, which can take their minds off thinking about being in strange surroundings. Giving a child a new toy also helps us make them feel safe and loved.”
Beebe’s pediatric unit keeps a supply of new toys, sorted by age. Children then can take their new toy home.
The gift of the toys was a joint effort of the Cape Henlopen Elks, utilizing grant funds provided by the Elks National Foundation, and the Diamond State Detachment of the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots Program.
The Elks provide support for a number of youth activities, Veterans and Community organizations throughout the year. While most of the distributed funds are generated by the local Elks Lodge, the Grand Lodge, or national organization, provides funding for scholarships, community development and more. Since it was founded, the Elks National Foundation has contributed more than $406.3 million toward charitable projects nationwide, “ELKS CARE, ELKS SHARE.”
Information about the Elks can be obtained at Cape Henlopen Lodge #2540, located at 18544 Beaver Dam Road, Lewes, or call (302) 645-7016 or online at www.Elks.org.
Caption: Representatives from the Elks Cape Henlopen Lodge #2540 presented the toys to pediatric nurses at the Medical Center in Lewes. Pictured, back row, left to right, BJ Young, public relations representative for the Elks Cape Henlopen Lodge #2540; Kelly Griffin, Director of Marketing and Communications at Beebe Healthcare; Mary Koyanagi, RN, Pediatric Nurse; Front Row, left to right, JoAnne Fry, Elks National Foundation Co-Chair; Eileen Loftus, Exalted Ruler, Cape Henlopen Lodge; Chris Scheper, RN, Pediatric Charge Nurse; and Dareth Penuel, RN, Pediatric Nurse. Those involved in organizing the gift but not pictured are: Margaret Porter, RN, Nurse Manager, Pediatric Unit; Gail Brand, Elks National Foundation Chair; and Jayne and Charlie Sewell, Toys for Tots Contributors.
Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout Southern Delaware for residents and visitors, including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer center, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehab services. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebehealthcare.org.