Realtors Provide Books and Blankets to Shriners Hospital for Children

SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley’s community service committee proudly continued its tradition of collecting children’s books and making hand-tied fleece blankets for Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield. The books and blankets were delivered to the hospital on Feb. 17.

Realtors arrived at the hospital and were greeted by Lee Roberts, Public Relations specialist, to help unload the new children’s books and 60 blankets. “Every child that comes in for an appointment in our outpatient department receives a new book. All the books that we receive are screened, and every child can choose a brand-new book to take home,” Roberts said.

The hand-tied fleece blankets feature multiple colors and designs to meet various children’s interests. “Sam West of our Child Life department gets to know the patients during a pre-operative tour, so when they come out of surgery and go into their room, there is a nice, new blanket on their bed,” Roberts said. “It creates a home-like atmosphere to put the child and family at ease help and help them feel more comfortable.”

Children can take these personalized blankets home with them when they are discharged from the hospital.