Youngsters Donate 230 Teddy Bears; Credit Second Grader for Inspiration
Media Contact
Jackie Ferman
Phone -- 314.286.0375
St. Louis , MO, December 11 -- A group of gifted students from Valley Park have made their “presents” known at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. They delivered the fruits of more than a month of fund-raising and research – 230 teddy bears and two dozen books for hospitalized children.
Their teacher, Jamie Rhodes, got the idea when she heard about an amazing second grader in the Valley Park Elementary School gifted class. Seven-year-old Mikaela Fox purchased 30 teddy bears that she planned to donate to the hospital. She felt a special connection to St. Louis Children’s Hospital after spending so much time there with her younger brother, who suffers from multiple medical problems.
Mrs. Rhodes’ class at Valley Mark Middle School was studying medicine. As part of her lesson plan, Rhodes incorporated information about St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She also encouraged the students to follow Mikaela’s example. They sold candy to raise money, and spent weeks researching the best buys for teddy bears and gifts. The result: a giant contribution to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, which they presented December 12.
Mikaela joined the older students in their fund-raising, and at the hospital when they delivered all the stuffed animals and dozens of books to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
St. Louis Children's Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 120 years. Children's Hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, ranked the second best medical school in the country by US News & World Report. In 2003, Child magazine ranked St. Louis Children's Hospital sixth on its list of the 10 Best children's hospitals in the country, and fourth in neonatology/neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). St. Louis Children's Hospital also is a member of BJC HealthCare.
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