It’s never fun being stuck in the hospital during the holidays with nothing to do – especially if you’re a kid. On December 20, kids at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital were blessed with Christmas gifts donated by Promptu Immediate Care. Jodi Clark, Regional Practice Manager at Promptu Immediate Care, hosted a Toy Drive where employees and guests donated toys for kids in the hospital. At the end of the Toy Drive, Clark took the toys her local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital to be delivered to pediatric patients admitted during the holidays. “I’m so glad these toys will help,” said Clark with an armful of toys. “Promptu is always happy to help kids in our community!” Thank you, Promptu Immediate Care, for your generous donation and continuous support.

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Associates at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Mary got into the Christmas spirit with their Annual Wreath Raffle organized by Kay Barclay, Executive Assistant at St. Mary. They donated gift baskets and beautifully decorated wreaths to be raffled throughout the second week of December. They raised over $1,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! To view more photos and see the winners, visit our Facebook page.

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The 20th Annual Christmas Tree Contest at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth was a huge hit this year! With 14 trees in the contest, St. Elizabeth associates, patients, and visiting families had an array of trees to choose from when casting their vote for Crowd Favorite. Local guest judges, Elizabeth Blackstock, Cumulus Radio Market Manager, and Lance Edwards, Channel 12 News Sports Director, had their work cut out for them as they determined the winners for Most Creative, Most Beautiful, Grand Prize, and Most Embracing of the CHRISTUS Spirit. We are so thankful for all of the hospital departments that came together in the spirit of the holidays to help raise funds for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

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Brandy Ousley, the mother of one of our pediatric patients, was recently reminded of the importance of donating toys to her local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. When her toddler, Callyn, stayed at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth, they spent some time in the playroom and found that there weren’t many toys for preschool kids. “Because so many children have access to our toys, they get loved, played with, and worn out faster than they would in a home,” said Ashley Bares, Certified Child Life Specialist. “We are constantly seeking donations to replenish our resources as tired toys get removed from the playroom.” Ousley shared her story with friends and family and together they donated toys for preschool-age children. The toys they donated are all plastic and will be used in the playroom by toddlers just like hers. “I know how moms feel when their kids are in the hospital without anything to do,” said Ousley. “Even if Callyn doesn’t get to play with these toys, they will be available for other kids to enjoy.”

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Lamar University Dance Marathon (LUDM) hosted their first event at the end of 2017. The evening wrapped up Lamar University’s homecoming week by celebrating the students who helped raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the year.

Participants created personal fundraising pages on LUDM’s website at the beginning of the year and asked friends and family members to donate. After visiting CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth last fall, Lamar University Dance Marathon’s executive members made it their goal to raise enough money to revive St. Elizabeth’s pediatric playroom with new toys and furniture. LUDM wanted the children staying in the hospital to have a fresh space where they could play and feel like kids instead of patients.

At the Lamar University Dance Marathon event, students were met with an event T-shirt at the door and spent the evening dancing to celebrate their success. Chick-fil-A provided dinner and there were plenty of door prizes to be won from Nothing Bundt Cakes packages to an Apple Watch. The Ryan White Award for the Top Fundraising Team went to Alpha Tau Omega for bringing in over $1,300! One of their team members, Christian Dick, went above and beyond by raising over $800 – more than doubling most other students’ totals. At the end of the evening, LUDM students took the stage to announce the final amount they would be donating to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for St. Elizabeth’s pediatric playroom. The Lamar University students were thrilled to reveal a grand total of $4,730!

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