During the first week of April, 27 Transitional Care Unit residents enjoyed their spring school break with daily outings and activities coordinated by the Recreation Therapy Department. As part of the annual Spring Break Camp funded by the Recreation Therapy fund, groups of children and staff visited Putt Putt miniature golf, Richmond Indoor Sports Experience, King’s Dominion, Jamestown Settlement and the circus during morning or half-day outings. Afternoon activities included crafts, massage therapy and music therapy.

Two Health & Safety Days sponsored by Food Lion this spring brought important safety lessons to area children through fun and interactive exhibits and activities. On March 10, nearly 300 children attended the Fredericksburg Health & Safety Day at the Fredericksburg Field House. On April 20, nearly 600 children attended the Richmond Health & Safety Day on the front lawn at Children’s Hospital. During both events, children learned about fire and personal safety and dental health and wellness from a variety of community partners.

After opening to patients in late December, Children’s Hospital’s Bon Air Therapy Center held an official open house on April 28 with representatives from the hospital’s Board of Trustees, Foundation and auxiliary boards, and staff mingling with patients, families, referral sources and donors. Chesterfield native and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and Sen. John Watkins were honored guests at the morning celebration, which recognized the Center’s new larger, family-friendly space and the donors who made the opening possible. Following remarks from Leslie Wyatt, President/CEO, Sen. Watkins and Mr. Hamlin, guests enjoyed a ribbon cutting, facility tours and lunch.

Donations from American Family Fitness, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Congdon, Denny Hamlin Foundation, Junior Board of Children’s Hospital, Metropolitan Health Foundation and Sunshine Gift Shop of Children’s Hospital helped fund last year’s move to the Bon Air location. The Denny Hamlin Foundation continued its generosity with a $10,000 donation to fund therapy equipment at the Center.

As part of their Adopt-A-School program and May’s Bike Safety Month, Children’s Hospital staff and members of the Richmond Kiwanis Club visited six Richmond elementary schools this spring to share tips for helmet use and safe riding. With statistics showing that only 15 percent of all child cyclists nationwide wear bike helmets, hospital representatives and Kiwanians hoped to increase local numbers during their talks with approximately 350 second grade students. During the visits, each student received an individually-fitted helmet, bike safety stickers, bookmarks and posters with the “Heads Up for a Safe Ride” message.

Funded by a $4,000 gift from the Kiwanis Club, the annual program also includes mailing bike safety posters to more than 700 elementary and middle schools and 500 physician offices.

Following a major snowstorm on the show’s original date, the 11th annual Virginia Dance Festival was held at James River High School on Feb. 27. The benefit event raised more than $11,900 for Children’s Hospital Foundation and featured 300 junior and adult dancers from 30 Virginia schools and dance troupes showcasing traditional and cultural routines. Dance styles including tap, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, classical Indian, Irish, ballroom, musical theater, modern and lyrical were featured during afternoon and evening performances. Founded and coordinated by Jessica Morgan, owner of Jessica Morgan School of Dance, the Virginia Dance Festival has generated more than $111,000 for the Foundation through performances, ticket sales, sponsorships and silent auction donations.

During a visit to the hospital on May 19, Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell toured the facility, enjoyed a musical concert by residents of the Transitional Care Unit and attended a reception with hospital representatives and members of the Community Liaison and Advocacy committees. Pictured at right, Mrs. McDonnell visited with Iceis Augustino and Kyle Jenkins, who shared the sheet music to the “Star Spangled Banner,” a solo he performed to open the TCU musical show.

Nearly 100 individuals representing 44 children’s hospitals traveled to Washington, D.C. on Feb. 23 and 24 to advocate for the future of pediatric healthcare. Sponsored by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals (N.A.C.H.), the public policy affiliate of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the annual event spotlighted the importance of protecting the financial viability of children’s hospitals and ensuring that children’s hospitals across the country can continue serving a critical role in children’s healthcare.  Kendall Lee, Government Relations and Advocacy Coordinator, and Laura P. Allen with the hospital’s Advocacy Committee met with representatives from the offices of Sen. Mark Warner and Reps. Bobby Scott, Eric Cantor and Randy Forbes during their visit.

Applications are now being accepted for Children’s Hospital’s Spirit of Advocacy Family and Community Partner Awards. Nominate your favorite child advocate by Aug. 2. Awards will be presented during the annual Advocacy Day program on Sept. 23. Get award criteria and nomination forms here.

Less than two years after opening, the Petersburg Therapy Center will expand into an additional 1,337 square feet of space, adding small treatment rooms, a sensory motor room, extra gym space and additional staff and office areas, by late summer or early fall. The extra space will allow the Petersburg Therapy Center, which averages 420 patient visits per month, to hire more staff and treat new patients from areas south of Richmond including Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights.

Funded by a $100,000 donation from the 2009 Junior Board Ball, the expansion will allow Children’s Hospital to provide additional pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy services in a community with limited pediatric therapy options.

On May 3, Children’s Feeding Program began seeing patients at the Fredericksburg Therapy Center. The monthly clinic is designed to help children who have a medical condition that has affected their feeding and growth and includes assessments for medical, oral-motor, nutritional and behavioral problems and observations of eating patterns by the Feeding Program’s multidisciplinary team of specialists.