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Gift bags give visitors a new way to say "Get well soon"
Over the last several years, it's become harder to brighten the day of a patient in the hospital. Many patients—often those undergoing chemo and radiation for cancer—become extremely sensitive to smells, so fresh flowers and plants are no longer allowed. And an increase in latex allergies mean no more traditional balloons.
So what are family members, friends and well-wishers to do when they want to brighten someone's day? Anthony Scarpino, director of Food Services at Children's Hospital Boston, and his team wondered the same thing, so decided to do something about it.
Working with Child Life Services & the Family Advisory Council, they developed several gift bags filled with a variety of items to take some of the sting out of a stint in the hospital.
Here are the options:
The Most Valuable Patient Bag (for kids) $42.95
Includes: "Get Well" stuffed bear holding a chocolate bar; Children's Hospital t-shirt; a bottle of bubbles; a squeezable, sticky rubber frog; and a puzzle/activity book. Delivered in a gift bag featuring the Children's Catering logo and a card.
The Sprint Bag (for parents with shorter stays) $34.95
Includes: "Get Well" chocolate bar; tasty protein bar; Children's Catering logo stainless steel travel mug with gourmet tea bags; $15 café gift card. Delivered in a gift bag featuring the Children's Catering logo and a card.
The Marathon Bag (for parents with longer stays) $79.95
Includes: "Get Well" chocolate bar, Children's Catering logo stainless steel travel mug with fancy tea bags; tasty protein bar; pair of shower sandals; parking voucher; $10 CVS gift card; $15 Café gift card; and a 20 minute phone card. Delivered in a gift bag featuring the Children's Catering logo and a card.
The Play by Play Bag (make your own line-up)
| The Lead-Off (the bag basics) then add what items you wish |
$3.50 |
| Stainless steel travel mug with fancy tea bags |
$18.95 |
| Get Well chocolate bar |
$2.50 |
| Get Well stuffed bear with chocolate bar |
$10.95 |
| Protein bar |
$1.50 |
| Children's Hospital Boston garage parking voucher |
$12.00 |
| CVS gift card |
$10.00 |
| Cafe at Children's gift card |
$15.00 |
| 20 minute phone card |
$7.95 |
| Pair of shower sandals |
$12.95 |
| Children's Hospital Boston T-Shirt |
$17.50 |
| Bottle of bubbles |
$1.25 |
| puzzle/activity book |
$16.95 |
| Squeezable sticky rubber frog |
$2.95 |
"The gift bag service will provide an opportunity to friends and family who are not able to visit, but want to offer support in some way," says Carol Finlayson, catering manager.
Thanks to the hospital's catering service, families and friends can also share a special meal together.
The Champions Banquet (for the family)
Treat the family to a special dinner. $15.95 per person
Each family member may choose a three course dinner from our seasonal menu (some items may be restricted or modified due to dietary concerns). The dinner will be prepared by a cafeteria chef and served on fine china. The banquet may take place in the patient's room, or arrangements can be made for another space. This option is available Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 5 pm.
For more information on the gift bag program or if you are interested in the Champions Banquet, contact Finlayson at ext. 5-2278 or carol.finlayson@childrens.harvard.edu.
Tony Bonilla, MD, happily dug into the pie at the annual Valentine Bakeoff on February 14, an event co-hosted by Children's Hospital Boston at Lexington and their neighbors, Beth Israel.Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). Day Surgery's Kathy Manucci's strawberry pie won "Best Pie," Pediatric Specialties' Marcia Mooza's pumpkin pie won "Best Filling and Taste" and Shirley Poleo's apple pie won "Best Presentation."
Joining Bonilla as judges were Michael Dillon, Jill Montgomery, RN, Wendy Riley and Abigail Brezczinski from Children's Hospital Boston at Lexington and Peg Jemison from BIDMC.
