Eugene Southtowne’s Impact Service Network is a Rotary-Satellite-Club-in-the-Making. In September, the group identified their collective desire to support hospitalized children, so Southtowne Club Membership Director Laura Abruzzini reached out to her daughter-in-law, Lexi Garibaldi, who is an RN at Riverbend and works in Labor & Delivery and Pediatrics. Lexi connected her with the Child Life Program at Riverbend Hospital.
The network collected new toys and games this month at their after-hours event. Friday, they delivered the collection and some tricker-treats to the hospital. “We knew that the goodies would bring a smile and a bit of distraction to the sick kiddos,” said Charlotte Russell of the Impact Service Network.
Megan Massey, a Child Life Specialist with the Women & Children Services Administration at the hospital explained that the toys have an extra special impact on the kids in her unit, “After their surgery or during their recovery, they need to get up and walk around the unit several times. Since they don’t feel well, this is like homework for them. So, we hide the toys or games along the hall for them to find and take back to their room. It gives them the motivation to get up and move, and helps them heal faster.”
The Southtowne Impact Service Network invites everyone – Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike – to their after-hours events on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Paddock, 3355 E Amazon in Eugene.
4 Responses
I’m intrigued by this “club in the making”.
Hi Jane, why wait until we’re official? We can do good work while we become bonafide! Join us on November 2nd if you’re in Southtowne.
Great work, Chris. Of course, I knew about this, but it was great to read about it and see the photo here in the 5110 update!
Thanks, Randy, these people are eager to launch a new kind of Rotary Club!