Children undergoing treatment at the Humboldt District Hospital (HDH) will now be offered a big bear hug, thanks to a new program launched last week.
Bear Hugs 4 U was the brainchild of Sheryl Korte, manager of spiritual care and volunteer services at the HDH.
"Every child needs a bear hug," Korte said simply.
Korte had been working for years to launch a program like this, where children coming to the hospital would get a special little cuddly friend to help them through the ordeal that receiving medical treatment can be for youngsters.
Working with the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation (HDHF) and the Muenster Credit Union, who agreed to sponsor the purchase of the bears, the program finally became a reality last week.
Through Bear Hugs 4 U, every child 10 and under who comes to the hospital for care will receive a bear to hug.
The soft, cuddly bears sport T-shirts with the Muenster Credit Union logo on the front, and the HDHF on the back.
Muenster Credit Union was eager to get on board with this project, noted Rose Silzer-Quinn, general manager, after she spoke to Korte about how frightening it is for children to come to the hospital.
"We think (the bears) will be a comfort to the children," Silzer-Quinn noted.
"It's traumatic and scary to come here," Korte agreed. "We hope the bears can help alleviate some of that anxiety and frustration."
The bear, she added, "gives the child something to hold on to."
The bears will be brand new to each child, Korte noted.
This program, it was noted, is running exclusively at the HDH.
