Student-Led Pajama Drive Brings Warm Gifts to Hospital Patients

The sound of lilting voices could be heard through the halls of the Children's Subacute Services at the Community Hospital of San Bernardino on Dec. 16. It was a special day for patients at the medical center and a particularly cheerful one because they also received gifts. Fifteen students from Washington High School's (WHS) Success by Choice program delivered 40 pairs of pajamas and 15 blankets and pairs of socks to child patients at the center that day — an idea sparked by Success by Choice members themselves. Patients staying at the Subacute Services at the hospital range in age from newborn to 21 years old and live with long-term, clinically complex neurological conditions that require machines to assist them with eating or breathing. "This is a powerful interventive trip that I take our students on," said Success by Choice Director Nina Torres, a career guidance counselor at WHS. "Not only does it remind us how valuable our own health and our lives are but it also reminds us that no matter how hard our struggles in life, there is always someone who has it harder and if these children can do it, so can we. This visit changes the lives of the people who visit these children." Success by Choice student Mark Contreras was one of the students whose life was affected by a previous visit to the center; he was so impacted that this year, he wanted to do more for the patients. He helped spark to life the idea for the pajama drive with the help of co-organizer, Success by Choice member Elizabeth Belloso. "I wanted to do something for the kids," he said. "And they can't play with toys because they are paralyzed." He originally wanted to head a toy drive but when the students were told the patients were in need of pajamas and other items, the pajama drive kicked off — and fast. "This became a community affair," said Torres. With the help of Colton Prevention Specialist Mirza Andrade-Martinez, Colton City Clerk Eileen Gomez, WHS Attendance Clerk Moniqua Aguilar and other WHS staff, donations of pajamas and socks were collected. Warm fleece blankets were handmade and donated by the Kiwanis Club of Cooley Ranch. The group spent the day visiting patients and delivering the gifts of pajamas, socks and hand-made blankets. Contreras explained he would like to continue the drive in years to come. [END] to our City News Group :) on Monday Dec. 16th, 2013 WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL'S SUCCESS BY CHOICE CLUB delivered about 40 pajamas and around 15 blankets and socks that will be given to all the children who reside in the San Bernardino Subacute Hospital. They will be given to the children for Christmas. We also visited the patients for about an hour as we sang Christmas carols to them which put bright smiles on their beautiful faces. The Children's subacute center: "The Children's Subacute Services at Community Hospital of San Bernardino are dedicated to children, ages newborn to 21, who have long-term, clinically complex neurological conditions. The affiliated teams of subacute specialty physicians, highly trained nurses, case managers and therapists offer excellent patient care for conditions including congenital birth defects, head and spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy and more." basically all the patients/residents are on machines either for methods of feeding or breathing. It is a powerful interventive trip that i take our students on. Not only does it remind us how valuable our own health and our lives are but it reminds us that no matter how hard our struggles in life are there is always someone who has it harder and if these children can do it, SO CAN WE! This visit CHANGES THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE who visit these childen. Our students were moved and some even shed a tear or two. Trips like this turn studentS who were at-risk into children AT-PROMISE :) One student in particular Mark Contreras (member of Success by Choice) was one of the first group of students that i took. He was really shocked and didnt know if he could handle it the first time around. He made it through and the following year this became his idea that started the pajama drive. Originally he wanted to do a toy drive but since these children are unable to play with toys we were told that they were in need of pajamas, socks, and blankets. This became a community affair. Donations were collected from Mirza-Andrade Martinez our Cotlon Prevention Specialist, Our City Clerk Eileen Gomez, WHS Attendance Clerk Monica Aguilar, and Washington High School Staff. The blankets were hand made by the Kiwanis of Cooley Ranch. I was touched by the response of the success by choice students. They interacted with the children and made this a warm event for everyone invovled. This year my mom came with us so that was extra special for me :) you may contact Mark at 909659-6427 I am getting permission from one other student but i will send her number once i have that permission. oh....there were about 15 students from Success by Choice (from a mix of WHS and Slover Mountain High School) Once a member of my SBC mentorship club you are forever mine! my kids are amazing. If you need anything else let me know. Merry Christmas to my favorite News Group! Feel free to contact Eileen Gomez City Clerk or Monica Aguilar (from WHS 909-580-5802) Let me know if you were able to get all photos. I forgot to mention Elizabeth Belloso was also a part of being a leader in the pajama drive (she's another success by choice member). she is the one I am waiting for to get permission for you guys to call her. also I'm trying to get some pictures of when the kids were putting all of the pajamas in order and getting them ready to deliver. OK here is the last contact. Elizabeth Belloso... For her, the mom would be good to interview too. Here is her number....9092461214 both students will be available after 3 today and I believe tomorrow they are out of school.