FCCLA Donates to Child Life
April 19, 2010
FCCLA members gathered over 200 toys and $170 to be donated to the Child Life Department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln. The project was spearheaded by members Kelsey Cattell and Heidi Orano. In January they placed change jars in local businesses and toy drop boxes were placed in each elementary classroom. At the high school a drop box was placed in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. On April 12th the items were taken to the State Leadership Conference for display and then were delivered to the Child Life Department. During the closing ceremony of the state conference FCCLA members were recognized for their efforts by a "whodunit" award.
A Child’s hospital stay can be frightening and stressful for families. The Child Life Department from the University of Nebraska Medical Center offers services at no cost to help make a hospital stay less stressful by providing a variety of opportunities for comfort. Child Life provides support to patients from newborn to twenty years of age. There are play rooms and ways for the patients to reach a level of normalcy. The patients are able to express themselves through their room decorations, play, and feel safe in unfamiliar surroundings. Child Life coordinates many programs that are designed to expose patients and families to art, music, and socialization with other patients and families to help build healthy support systems.To allow each child to express their fears and frustration, the Child life team is there to provide them with activities and toys that let them feel as if they are in control and relieve the fear, pain and stress.
