I am pleased to announce that on Friday, September 7th. 2012, I have delivered 53 Teddy Bears to the sick children at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital located at 703 Main Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Cecilia Marie Hernandez, Center.- From left to right: her dad Cesar Hernandez, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Fellow Kim Hudock, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Coordinator Tiffany Shevchik, her mom Michele Hernandez, her Uncle Andrew Matulewicz, her brother Cesar Michael Hernandez.

We were greeted so nicely by Tiffany Shevchik, Child Life Coordinator, and, and by Kim Hudock, Child Life Fellow at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. I explained them that I was so happy to deliver the Teddy Bears and thanked them for cooperating with me. They said that they were so happy that I thought of them. They usually don’t get many donations in the summer and that the sick children will be so happy to receive them.

From left to right- St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Fellow Kim Hudock, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Coordinatior Tiffany Shevchik, and Cecilia Marie Hernandez.

I also would like to thank St. Joseph’s Healthcare System’s Chief Executive Officer, William A. McDonald, for giving me the “Junior Champion for Children” award Certificate. I was extremely honored.

Tiffany and Kim distributed the bear to all of the sick children.

I hope the teddy bears will make them happy and give them hope. Each teddy bear has a special handwritten get well message for them.

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Life Fellow Kim Hudock organizing teddy bears on Cart.

This one was a small donation. Thanks to friends and family that donated some of bears during the summer. Thanks also to my friends at Build-a-Bear, Paramus, New Jersey, for taking care of me very well every time I go to buy another bear. 

Cecilia Marie Hernandez being presented the “Junior Champion for Children” award certificate by Tiffany Shevchik and Kim Hudock.

I expect to have another teddy bear drive hopefully before the Christmas holiday. There are many family and friends that are willing to donate for my next one.

Junior Champion for Children awarded to Cecilia Marie Hernandez upon delivering 53 teddy bears to be distributed to sick children at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Paterson, NJ on Sept 7, 2012.