Left to right: Cody Barnett, Victoria Hospital Foundation Executive Director, Taylor Gareau, pediatric ward nurse, Mark Ripley, Mann-Northway dealer principal, Tori McKenna, and Susie Zelowsky, pediatric nurse unit manager. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Community Support

Comfort items fundraiser for children at Victoria Hospital raises over $28K, nearly triple the goal

Dec 8, 2022 | 1:02 PM

The Victoria Hospital’s pediatric unit will soon be overflowing with comfort items.

A fundraiser was started around two months ago aimed at raising $10,000 to buy items for the kids to help them during their stay at the hospital. In the end, the fundraiser was able to raise over $28,000.

“To get that support… it uplifts us to know that other people care about these kids as much as we do,” said Susie Zelowsky, the pediatric nurse unit manager.

Some of the items that’ll be bought include baby swings, bouncy chairs, teddy bears, art kits, puzzles, and more.

Taylor Gareau, a nurse in the pediatrics ward and the one who brought forward the idea to start the fundraiser, told paNOW a lot of these items don’t seem that special, but they’ll hopefully help each child regain some sense of normalcy.

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“It’s just nice to be able to give these kids something to take their mind off that procedure and distract them while they’re in the hospital.”

The more expensive items will be bought using funds from Mann-Northway who capped the fundraiser with a more than $11,000 donation. Mark Ripley, the dealer principal, said they’re hoping their donation not only helps the kids but the staff in the unit.

“It’s essential for what they do to be able to comfort the children.”

Truck being filled with presents at Mann-Northway. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

Meanwhile, Mann-Northway is planning to go above and beyond for the Victoria Hospital this holiday season.

Tori McKenna, Ripley’s fiancée, had the idea of filling up a truck with toys for all the kids who’ll be forced to stay at the hospital over Christmas. That idea is now a reality as Mann-Northway has set up a truck in their lobby with plans on filling it with presents.

“A little bit can go a long way,” said McKenna. “Just one item can change a kid’s life.”

People are encouraged to donate toys, with a list of wanted items posted on Mann-Northway’s social media, at their dealership until Dec. 22. McKenna and Ripley both joked they may also donate the truck to the kids if everything goes well.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow