Last modified Wed., August 27, 2008 - 04:39 PM
Originally created Thursday, August 28, 2008

American Legion donates toys for physicals rodeo

By Marsha Childs, NH Jax Marketing

Former Naval Hospital Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Raquel Bono, left, watches as American Legion 5th District President Sylvia Curnutte, right, demonstrates the Spinoza Bear for 7-year-old twin sisters, BreHanna and MarsHanna Maxwell, (center left) while another youngster watches at the Aug. 8 NHJ School and Sports Physical Rodeo. The bears provide comfort to children who are dealing wth chronic or terminal medical conditions. Photo courtesy of Naval Hospital Jax PAO

What could have been a scary experience for some children awaiting immunizations and physicals at the annual Naval Hospital Jacksonville back-to-school rodeo, instead turned out to be more like Christmas, thanks to adorable hand puppets from American Legion Post 283.

The post donated more than 150 hand puppets for children attending the School and Sports Physical Rodeo Aug. 1 and 8. Robbin Walker, representing the American Legion 5th District Auxiliary Children and Youth, was thrilled that military children were receiving the donated animals. "This is a good fit. That is why we are so into this program," she said. The puppets served to entertain the children as their immunizations were updated.

The American Legion first began partnering with the hospital in January to provide Spinoza Bears, which are specially made for children with terminal or chronic medical conditions. Spinoza Bear Committee Chairman Tom Harris, with the Sons of American Legion Squadron 283, committed to this project for personal reasons.

Harris said, "I have a brother with a grandson who passed away from cancer. That is one of the things that motivated me to get involved in this program. The majority of children who get the Spinoza Bears suffer from chronic and terminal illnesses."

The hospital distributes the Spinoza Bears through the Navy Exceptional Family Member Program coordinator who assists families with children coping with major medical issues.

Former Naval Hospital Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Raquel Bono was delighted to accept the generous gifts and help distribute puppets to children in the clinic. She said she greatly appreciated the support that such organizations provide to our military families.

More than 400 children received school and sports physicals Aug. 1 and 8 in preparation for the new school year. The annual event, sponsored by the hospital's Family Medicine Department and Pediatric Clinic, provided routine physicals and immunizations for school-age children assigned to the facility.