Tag-Archive for » San Diego «

April 05th, 2009 | Author: Pencil Bugs

000_0003Last Friday, April 3, I went down to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA with my parents for my quarterly donation.  We delivered lots of fun toys for the kids and their playroom such as Play-Doh, bubbles, and cool musical toys and books.  This time, we were given a short tour of some of the public areas in the hospital.  Because I’m under age, I’m still not allowed to go into the medical areas but we saw some cool things.

 

101_0016101_0015When the coordinator said she was going to show us their cow first, I wondered why they had a cow at a hospital.  It turned out to be a very colorful statue which stood in the courtyard. It was designed by artist Eduardo Parra and painted by some of the patients.  It was spectacular because of the vibrant use of colors.  It was on display for La Jolla’s Cow Parade which runs from March 15 to June 15.  On one side, it was painted in yellows representing day and on the other, in blues for night. 

 

The tour continued inside through the lobby and we saw all of their remodeling efforts.  As we walked through the emergency room waiting area, it was empty.  I guess that was a good thing at least for the moment.  She said they typically get busy after school is out.  On the other side of the reception area was a hallway lined with hand painted tiles by sponsors.  They are doing a lot of construction which will mean they can care for more kids when everything is done.

 

The day was really fun and since we had just gotten a new digital camera, I used it to take lots of pictures of random stuff.  Here are some of the more meaningful pictures.

 

I donate to them every quarter so if anyone is interested in helping out a really good cause, let me know.  The next donation will be about the first week in July.  They always need toys and activities because so many kids go through that hospital.

December 20th, 2008 | Author: Pencil Bugs

Oh, what a day yesterday!   It was a long time in coming and lots to do.  While I was in school, both of my elves were working hard getting all the toys, books, and games into the 50 bags I delivered to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

Rental van full of gift bags

Rental van full of gift bags

When it came time to load everything in the sleigh (aka my dad’s car), it didn’t all fit.  So mama elf jumped on the phone and called Enterprise Rent-a-Car.  They weren’t able to donate the use of a van but were nice enough to give us a discount.  Even with that, it was still full by the time we got the 50 individual bags for the kids and the six extra large bags filled with toys and games for the community playroom at the hospital.

I had a short day at school so by lunch, we were off to San Diego.   When we got there, a camera woman from the local NBC station was waiting for me.   Since I was invited to be on the 4:30pm news, they wanted to film a few minutes of me with all the toys.

Oops, I blinked!

Oops, I blinked!

The people at Rady are so grateful that I’ve chosen them to support with my donations that the coordinator, Shelley Borree, presented me with an Appreciation Certificate.  I was really surprised but I can’t take all the credit.   There were many people who were generous and donated their own products to help with this project.  They are all listed on my website so please take a look.

I didn’t have a chance to meet the kids in the hospital this time but I really hope my gift bags help them have a nice holiday season and maybe make their time in the hospital not quite so bad.

After we unloaded everything from the van, we had a little time until I was supposed to be at the TV station.  We walked around the 5-story mall they have downtown near the studio and got lost many times since it was so big.  Right across the street and next to the studio was an ice rink which was cool!  Literally! :)

 

Finally it was time to check it with the news producer.  I was a little nervous since it was the first time on live TV but it went very well and amazingly enough, a 3-minute interview goes by pretty fast even if you’re nervous.

A HUGE thank you again to everyone who donated to help make Christmas in the hospital a bit more enjoyable for a lot of kids this year.

December 14th, 2008 | Author: Pencil Bugs
Sorting through some of the donations

Sorting through some of the donations

We received so many donations from people that today my mom, dad, and I started to go through everything to put the gifts in separate bags for the kids.  We had many board games, video games, DVD’s, doll clothes, and pretend play things that will stay in their community playroom so all the kids can use them.  The other items you see in this picture are just some of the many donated items that will go in each of the 50 bags; everything from mini-footballs, books, trading cards, football game playing cards, sports drinking bottles, and so much more. 

I’ve listed all the people I’ve received donations from on my website so click on the Santa at the top of my home page and you’ll see all the generous people so far.   We’re still expecting a few more in the next day or two.  Then we’ll be off to San Diego on Friday to deliver. 

We have received so much that we’re a little worried that it won’t all fit in my dad’s car.  We are going to call a rental car place and hopefully they might donate a van for the day.

December 12th, 2008 | Author: Pencil Bugs
Shop at Target

Shop at Target

After school today, my parents and I spent about an hour and a half shopping at Target.  We bought lots of toys and goodies for my gift bag project for Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.   The shopping cart was chuck full and it made us feel a little weird knowing that lots of people don’t even have jobs this year.  But at least we knew the gifts are going for kids who are in the hospital during Christmas this year and maybe getting a bagful of fun things might make their time in the hospital not quite so bad.

I’ll be going down to San Diego on Dec. 19 to deliver all of the bags.  There is so much stuff, we’re getting worried that my dad’s car might not hold all of the bags.  I have 50 bags but we also have a bunch of other things like board games and toys for their community playroom that all the kids can use.  My mom said we might have to rent a small pickup or something just to get everything down there in one trip.

Then after I play Santa at the hospital, the NBC station in San Diego (KNSD 39) has invited me to be on their 4pm news.  I hope lots of people watch and maybe if they can donate even just a little to some charity, then it’s worth it.  Even the smallest thing can make a difference in someone else’s life.  You just never know.

December 09th, 2008 | Author: Pencil Bugs

My mom signed me up for a Twitter account yesterday.  It was UNBELIEVABLE!  I think our e-mail server got overloaded because in about 4-5 hours, I had over 75 followers, most of them thanks to a really nice person named, Erin Coss (www.k2ebooks.com) .   She co-authored an amazing book with her younger sister, Katie Kinsella, called “My Hospital Journal” which they generously donated 50 copies for my project with Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.   I’m putting together 50 gift/activity bags and delivering them on Dec. 19.  There are many more people that have helped with donations to make the bags full of goodies and the kids in the hospital a little happier.  It can’t be very fun being in the hospital during the holidays.   I’ll have a complete list of those who helped posted on my website on Dec. 19.  Be sure to check back.