The University of Tennessee Police Department recently awarded the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital with a donation assisting in the renovation of the Hematology Clinic. The donation will directly go to the purchase of DVDs, Playstation games and other electronic devices.
The idea came from Community Service Officer Michael Carr, who wanted to give something back during the holiday season. Each officer reached into his or her own pockets to come up with the $206 donation, and it was awarded to the Children’s Hospital last Wednesday.
Officer Meshia Thomas said the donation was something new for the UTPD and that they plan to continue to build their relationship with Children’s Hospital.
“We are planning on future projects together since we are so close,” Thomas said.
The UTPD’s future plans include other fundraising and personal visits originating from the belief that children enjoy meeting with uniformed police officers.
Children’s Hospital Public Relations Specialist Joanna Simeone said she could not have been happier with the results of the donation.
“It was wonderful for the UTPD to give back to the hospital, where some of the officers used to be patients themselves,” Simeone said.
Regarding the spending of the donation, some would feel that books and literature would be a more responsible purchase, but Simeone would disagree.
“Books are wonderful, but radiation and chemotherapy is a very long process that some children spend dreadful hours experiencing. The games and DVDs would make the experience better,” she said.
Not only will the money allow the hospital to purchase games for the children, but it will also help jump start a Radiothon benefiting the Children’s Hospital. The sixth annual Star 102.1 Radiothon to benefit the Childen’s Hospital will take place on Mar. 1 and Mar. 2 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Live from West Town Mall at the amphitheater in front of JCPenney, Star 102.1 morning radio personalities will raise money to help better the lives of the more than 141,000 children who visit Children’s Hospital. Coined “Tune in for Children,” the Radiothon will have listeners hear the real-life stories from children in the community who have benefited and will benefit from the fundraiser.
The purpose of the Radiothon is to raise money for the much-needed specialized pediatric medical equipment that costs well over $200,000. And the very first donation will be $206.
“The UTPD donation will be a great kick-off to get the ball rolling for the Radiothon. It will demonstrate to people that a program such as the UTPD can always put others ahead of themselves,” Simeone said.
