Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Westminster College elementary education students recently donated toys and games to the Pittsburgh Children's Hospital.
"An Elementary Methods Block class member, Sara Belsito (elementary education major from East Pittsburgh), is a leukemia survivor and suggested the project to fellow classmates in her Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary Classroom course," said Dr. Amy Camardese, assistant professor of education at Westminster College. "Sara shared that while children are undergoing treatment and procedures at Children's Hospital, toys and stuffed animal aid in making an unpleasant experience bearable. But hospital budgets do not provide monies for toys and games, so hospitals rely on donations."
Members of Carmardese's social studies methods course decided to contribute one dollar each week for "dress-down Fridays." In addition, elementary block students also distributed containers around the Westminster Campus and at Mugsies Coffee Shop in New Wilmington to collect contributions for Children's Hospital. A total of $231 was collected and ToysRUS donated another $70 in merchandise. Together, $300 worth of toys, games, stuffed animals, crayons, books, and coloring books were donated to the Children's Hospital Oncology/Hematology Department.
"The students drove to the Children's Hospital and delivered their donations," Camardese said. "The Oncology/Hematology Department took us on a 'tour' of the department and was very appreciative of the donations."
Contact Camardese at (724) 946-7183 or e-mail camardah@westminster.edu for more information.
