Feel Good Friday: Xmas in July Gives more than Gifts

TAMPA, Fla. -- St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa is celebrating its Christmas in July toy collection Friday and donation drive.

It is the 15th year the event is happening at the BayCare Health Systems facilities.

The initiative helps with the hospital's child life services.

Specialist Brianna Wagner said the services meet the needs of families in the most challenging of times.

"So, this is kind of a way for us to be supplied throughout the entire year for our patients and families which can benefit because sometimes patients are here on their birthdays," said Wagner. "And our jobs are to make it less scary for them."

New this year, a drop-off location at St. Joseph's Hospital-South to bring comfort and joy to the growing number of pediatric patients in the South Shore community of Hillsborough County.

Wagner said they also cater to a wide range of patients, from babies to young adults who are staying or treating at the hospital.

"Is the baby teething, do they need some teethers, do they need some rattles, mobiles for something to look at while they're in the crib?" said Wagner about why they need the items. "We also look at video games for teenagers, and getting our complimentary therapists involved as well."

Spectrum News spoke to a family who has benefited from the child life services.

That is when we met little Bonnie with a bubbly personality. In her services session, Bonnie began by blowing bubbles with Wagner.

Bonnie's mother, Mariel Garcia, said their first visit to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital was almost two years ago. Garcia said had it not been for the child life specialists, they would have had a more challenging experience in a very trying diagnosis.

"The very first night that we were in the ER when she was diagnosed," Garcia said. "The child life specialist came, and it brightened her day."

That first visit lasted 40 days at the hospital as doctors diagnosed Bonnie with leukemia at the tender age of nine months.

But when the child life specialist interacted with Bonnie, her mom described a change in her daughter.

"She kind of disregards whatever she's going through with them coming in," she said. "The simple gesture of reading her a book and it's very nice to sit back and watch them have a good time together."

The Christmas in July event supports this kind of therapy, which creates more than smiles for the pediatric patients.

"One of the most memorable moments for me was when she came in with a mat to sit with Bonnie. And Bonnie totally forgot about the pain she was feeling in her legs," Mariel said. "And she started engaging in baby yoga with her and it was just beautiful to watch."

Bonnie is now two years old.

At the end of the year, Bonnie will complete her cancer treatments, Garcia said. This means mom will have more peace of mind while Bonnie will continue to be her bubbly self.

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital welcomes donations throughout the year.