Something To Hold On To
One of our Something To Hold On To teddy bears that ended up being received by cardiac unit patients at Children's Memorial Hospital.
"The bear you gave me was sitting right next to me when I woke up from surgery.
I felt terrible, but seeing that bear made me smile!"
Bear Recipient Michelle, age 13.
DELIVERIES
June 2008- Donated 5 large boxes of toys to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation
January 2008- Delivered about 80 stuffed animals, dolls and games to Children's Memorial Hospital's Oncology Day Clinic
June 2007- Delivered about 70 teddy bears and stuffed animals to Children's Memorial Hospital's Oncology Day Clinic, cardiac unit and child life center
It's not easy being hospitalized; especially for a young child. Something To Hold On To was developed in 2006 to make those inpatient stays a little bit easier for kids, by providing children stuck in hospitals throughout the Chicagoland area with "something to hold on to" while undergoing extreme pain or scary procedures.
Something To Hold On To provides toys and stuffed animals to pediatric inpatients around the Chicago area. The idea of STHOT came about in 2006 when I acquired a chronic pain condition. The illness causes me to spend countless hours in hospitals, doctor's offices, and in bed! Through the pain, I found my comfort squeezing a purple teddy bear my friend Heidi had given me. The wheels in my head started turning and before I knew it, Something To Hold On To was born!
Each stuffed animal or toy is personally given to a child by either myself or a STHOT sponsor, somebody my age who raised at least $50 to support the cause. Along with the stuffed animal/toy comes a hand drawn "Get Well Soon" card, with a joke and poem attached. Below is the poem I wrote to go along with each STHOT item...
Life will sometimes be rough,
And when you're in pain,
It just makes it tough!
I'm here to help out,
So if you're not feeling right,
You can let out you're feelings
By hugging me tight.
I've been sent by a girl,
Whose dealt with her pain,
By following her heart,
And using her brain.
A kid can accomplish
As much as they hope
As long as they don't
Sit around and mope.
But if you live strong,
Your pain, you'll get through,
With hope and belief,
And Something To Hold On To!
SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO IS IN GREAT NEED OF...
NEW stuffed animals
NEW teddy bears
NEW toys, movies, games, etc.
Again, ALL DONATIONS MUST BE NEW for some of our recipients have compromised immune systems!!! Please e-mail me at abby@abbyhorancharities.org for donation information.
We are also in need of a store or company willing to sell us teddy bears, stuffed animals or toys at a reduced-price. Please click on the e-mail link above if you know of one.