December 16, 2009
The UAB Hospital Maintenance Department will hold its 28th annual Holiday Toy Fund Celebration for the UAB Child Life Program. Hospital employees have collected donations to purchase toys and supplies for the children staying at UAB Hospital. Santa will arrive on a fire truck with the Birmingham Fire Department at 11:15 a.m. and bring gifts for the children. And, as always, the UAB maintenance staff band, the Hospital Heartbeats, will perform live holiday music.
The event will be held Thursday, December 17 at 11 a.m. at the second floor of the North Pavilion Atrium, 1802 Sixth Avenue South.
For nearly all children, there's nothing worse than spending Christmas in the hospital. For some sick children, like those awaiting heart transplants for example, a hospital is the only home they will have during the holidays. So the staff at the UAB pediatric unit goes above and beyond to make this a special time for those children who can't go home for the holidays. "The holidays can be depressing for kids and their families when they have to spend it in the hospital, so we do everything we can to make it a happy time," says UAB Child Life Coordinator Jane Love.
UAB Child Life is a self-sustaining program set up to help patients prepare for tests and treatments, and cope with chronic illnesses and extended hospital stays. The program relies on generous donations to provide a cheerful environment with plenty of activities for UAB's pediatric patients. "Child Life and the 5 North Staff are thankful for the Maintenance Department and the UAB family who support this endeavor so much every year," Love says. "It truly makes a difference and has an impact on the children and their families."
Throughout the year, the UAB Hospital Maintenance Department collects money for the fund. Through donations from UAB employees, friends and others, Hospital Maintenance has been able to provide children and their families a positive and uplifting experience during the Christmas season. Each December, the Hospital Maintenance Department throws a celebration to show their appreciation for the donations received and to give the kids a fun holiday party. "This is an event that we absolutely love to do," says Doug Williams, an electrician who is directing the efforts for the eighth year. "We look forward to hosting this event for the children and their families. It's truly a highlight of the year for us."