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10.30.06
Laughlin Officially Opens State-Of-The-Art Playroom
Monday, October 30, 2006
Laughlin Memorial Hospital Sunday afternoon unveiled a new Toys "R" Us Children's Fund-Starlight Site, a state-of-the-art playroom created in partnership with the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. The unveiling is part of a $7 million, multi-year donation made by the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund to Starlight Starbright for the construction and renovation of kids' playrooms in hospitals across the country. The Starlight Site at Laughlin Memorial Hospital is the first of its kind in the state of Tennessee.
"Toys "R" Us and the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund are committed to improving the quality of life for children," said Kathleen Waugh, Chairman of the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. "And through these playrooms, we hope to bring much-needed joy and play time to pediatric patients at Laughlin Memorial Hospital."
With shooting stars across the ceiling, interactive wall-mounted games, and play areas for infants, toddlers and older children, the specially designed Starlight Site will serve as a relaxing and carefree space for the hospital's pediatric patients. Playroom amenities include a computer system with flat screen monitor, big screen TV with DVD/VCR player, stereo CD player, Nintendo Game Cube system, wall-mounted interactive games, stylish wall-mounted water bubbler, and new toys purchased with a $1,000 gift card from Toys "R" Us at their Johnson City retail store, located at 1906 Roan Street. Additional amenities include a PC Pal and Play Station and a portable computer that can be taken to the patient's room. The Starlight Site was created through the complete renovation and expansion by Greeneville-based Hite Construction Company of the hospital's existing Toys "R" Us Kids' Playroom, first introduced through the Laughlin Health Care Foundation in 1996.
Local and regional Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us representatives; a representative from the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation; Laughlin Memorial Hospital employees, child-life specialists, medical staff, Hospital Board of Directors and Health Care Foundation Board of Trustees; and the general public made up the group gathered in the main lobby for the official opening of the playroom.
A reception and celebration which followed included educational booths on safety and other issues related to babies and children, including the distribution of DNA kits; a birthday and baby registry; Johnson City Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us displays; and the give-away of several valuable door prizes. Toys "R" Us mascot Geoffrey was also there to welcome the children.
"We are delighted to be the first site in Tennessee to receive a Toys "R" Us Starlight Site. We are deeply moved by the generous gift from the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund and the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation that has created an area to encourage our pediatric patients to recover quickly and return home," stated Chuck Whitfield, president and CEO of Laughlin Memorial Hospital. "The playroom has been designed as a warm and welcoming environment for our patients; it is a peaceful and fun-filled addition, where pediatric patients of all ages can escape the feeling of being hospitalized and enjoy normal play and activity."
In Support of a Growing Trend
The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund-Starlight Starbright partnership is an example of a movement in hospital care as hospitals are addressing patients' needs by teaming up with the private sector. In addition, the playroom program addresses the burgeoning, nationwide hospital trend of looking at a patient's environment as an important factor in the healing process.
"For children confined to a hospital, the opportunity to have fun in a well-equipped, inviting atmosphere assists in the healing process," said Jane Van Stedum, vice president of program services for Starlight Starbright. "While play experiences are valuable in their own right, they also provide children an opportunity to express their feelings, release stress and learn new skills. Our partnership with Toys "R" Us allows us to enhance the quality of our site program and bring countless hours of therapeutic fun to the children who need it most."
About Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation
Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation is a non-profit organization that transforms the lives of seriously ill children and their families through imaginative programs that educate, uplift their spirits, foster a sense of community, and help alleviate the pain and fear of prolonged illness. Starlight Starbright offers an impressive array of in-hospital, outpatient, school and home-based programs and services that touch the lives of more than 180,000 children and families each month. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.
Laughlin Memorial Hospital was founded in 1939 by the late Dr. C. B. Laughlin in a small house on North Main Street in Greeneville and has grown into a community-based, not-for-profit hospital that is considered to be one of the best in the service area. The Laughlin facility covers a 34.5 acre site at 1420 Tusculum Boulevard and provides state-of-the-art equipment and healthcare services.
For additional information, please call Laughlin Health Care Foundation at 423/787.5117.
Source: Bobby Rader, WGRV News Director http://internetnewsroom.com/wgrv/
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