Page 22 - St. John's Healthcare Foundation_Annual Report 2016

...and about the

LITTLE THINGS

CUDDLERS
Cuddling is vital to a baby’s emotional and physical development, and is particularly important to little
ones who are hospitalized for long periods of time. Our tiniest patients receive extra care from our Cuddler
Volunteers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, who provide the comfort of physical touch – holding,
talking and singing to the baby. Our Cuddlers offer mom and dad the peace of mind that their baby is being
held when they cannot be present at the hospital due to life commitments, such as caring for their other
children or jobs. Volunteers receive extensive training by Sharon Jones, St. John’s Director of Volunteer, so
that they can safely provide this loving touch.

FLOWERS
Giving flowers has been a way to communicate emotion for thousands of years. Flowers can lift the spirit and
serve as a reminder that we are important to someone. Saying it with flowers shows our patients that they
are a person first, that they matter, that we care. Legend has it that 15 years ago volunteer Barbara Anderson,
who has since retired, decided that she wanted to do something for her community. She met with a local
grocery store chain to request unsold flowers, and while there she met the owner of Sun Valley Flowers
who was inspired by Barbara’s proposal and offered to donate what was required. Now every Monday
morning at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital you will find volunteers
making beautiful flower arrangements that are placed throughout the
hospital, adding cheerful grace to areas frequented by patients’ families.
Volunteers also make bud vases that are a bright spot on patients’ trays
once a week.

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