Mega Doctor News
If you’ve ever been hospitalized, you know it can be a stressful experience. Now imagine the impact a stay in the hospital can have on a child. Common hospital stressors may include separation from parents, anxiety associated with bodily injury and pain, restricted activity, a change in routine and a fear of the unknown.
But at South Texas Health System Children’s, the first dedicated children’s hospital in the Rio Grande Valley, staff are focused on the emotional, social and developmental well-being of hospitalized children. Through the facility’s Child Life Program, staff help reduce stress and anxiety while promoting effective coping for the littlest ones in our care and their families and caregivers.
Throughout the years, STHS Children’s has counted on the support of community organizations and businesses to help children cope more effectively with hospitalization. Community donations have helped the hospital’s efforts to support the well-being of patients with patient, sibling and family support services, sensory equipment and patient-focused resources like therapy programming, toys and arts & crafts supplies.
Last year, one of those partners, Dutch Bros., donated nearly $1,800 to the STHS Children’s Child Life Program through the drive-through coffee chain’s annual Buck for Kids Day, an initiative that gives back to kids in communities across the United States through donations to local youth organizations.
This year, Dutch Bros. will once again donate proceeds from its Bucks for Kids Day to STHS Children’s through the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System, the non-profit arm of STHS, to benefit the hospital’s Child Life Program.
On Friday, September 20, STHS Children’s, and the Auxiliary to STHS, invite the community to participate in Buck for Kids Day by purchasing a beverage at one of the 13 Dutch Bros. locations in the Rio Grande Valley. The company will donate $1 from each drink sold to the STHS Children’s Child Life Program.
“It means the world to us to have this participation with Dutch Bros.,” says Kimberly Davis, Pediatric Administrator for STHS Children’s. “Every dollar donated will go directly to providing toys, games and activities to patients at STHS Children’s. These things can help change the experience for our most delicate patients and help turn a stressful situation into a more positive one – it can mean the difference between tears and laughter.”
To participate, simply stop by any one of the locations listed below on Friday, September 20, and buy your favorite drink:
• 529 N Alamo Rd, Alamo, TX 78516
• 709 N FM 493, Donna, TX 78537
• 4108 S Business Hwy 281, Edinburg, TX 78539
• 1601 W Harrison Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550
• 1109 W Expressway 83, McAllen, TX 78503
• 3500 W Nolana Ave, McAllen, TX 78504
• 512 N Shary Rd, Mission, TX 78572
• 200 W. Mile 3 Rd., Palmhurst, TX 78573
• 1621 Expressway 83, Penitas, TX 78576
• 4801 E US Hwy 83, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
• 1026 W Business 77, San Benito, TX 78586
• 806 W Interstate Hwy 2, San Juan, TX 78589
• 326 S Westgate Drive, Weslaco, TX 78596
STHS Children’s has been providing healing and hope to children and families in the Rio Grande Valley since 2006. To learn more about the hospital’s services, including the Child Life Program, visit www.sthschildrens.com.
