The walls inside a children’s hospital are designed to bring cheer to the sick.<\/p>\n
You can see the bright colors that decorate the walls, but it\u2019s what we hear \u2014 the cries of children, too sick to rest in their own homes \u2014\u00a0 that tears at hearts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an environment that’s unfamiliar to them,\u201d Betsy Berumen, a nurse at South Texas Children’s Hospital, said.<\/p>\n
The Rio Grande Valley is home to two children’s hospitals. STHS opened 20 years ago, and Driscoll Children\u2019s Hospital of the Rio Grande Valley opened two years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
KRGV now has toy closets in both facilities.<\/p>\n
The KRGVCares Closet provides toys and other goodies to patients at both hospitals.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving toys and something like that keeps them distracted, so it’s important,\u201d Berumen said.<\/p>\n
This week, we’re asking Valley businesses and our viewers to help us restock those closets by donating to our campaign online.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The donated funds will be used to purchase more items for the KRGVCares Closets.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt brings smiles to kids’ faces, especially during times that are pretty scary to them,\u201d STHS Children\u2019s nurse Anthony Gutierrez said. \u201cIt\u2019s just something really nice for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donations are tax deductible. But more than that, they are an investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
KRGV is spreading awareness of the importance of extended stays by children at our local children\u2019s hospitals: South Texas Health System Children’s Hospital and Driscoll Children’s Hospital.<\/p>\n
During all newscasts and Take 5, we will ask our viewers to donate to the KRGV Cares Closet campaign. All monetary donations collected will be used to purchase toys and other items the hospital needs to fill the closet.<\/p>\n