Goshen Township Fire Department
Build a Bear Donations at Shriner's Children's Hospital
15 cardboard boxes filled with 15 build a bear toys… but to Fire-fighter/EMT Kelly Kline, the gifts are "Worth a million bucks."
That's because these bears are on their way to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, and Kline knows they're going to brighten the holiday of some very sick patients. Former Chief Virgil Murphy said, "We all have a soft spot for kids. You can't be in this business without having a soft spot for kids. So, anything we can do to help in a time of hurt … we're going to take the opportunity."
A Goshen Township Boy Scout Troop donated the bears to the fire department as part of their efforts to obtain a new merit badge. Murphy, Kline, and Firefighter Scott Murphy delivered the bears Tuesday morning, just in time for Christmas.
The new best bear friends were well received by staff at the Shriners Hospital. Director of Development Vanessa Nicely said, "No one likes to be [in the hospital] at Christmas. The outpouring of the community this time of year is simply outstanding. These kids will have a great Christmas thanks to Goshen Township." Chief Murphy makes sure to note that the bears were donated, and this would not have been possible without the generous gift of that local Boy Scout troop.
The Shriners Hospital helps children and adults who are burn victims. If you're interested in helping out this holiday, you're invited to check their website at shrinershospitals.org. Director of Public Relations Louise Hoelker said gifts for young children and teenagers are always in need, but what helps the most are service projects like collecting pop tabs, and monetary donations. Nicely notes that 90 cents of every dollar goes towards programs and services at the hospital, and said no patients are held financially responsible for treatments while at Shriners Hospital.
This is the second community driven donation the department has made in the past two weeks. On December 13th, the Fire Department teamed up with Township Trustees and members of the community to deliver gifts to senior citizens in need through Clermont Senior Services "Adopt-a-Senior" program. "Something people don't understand about fire-EMS staff is that they don't know how to stop giving," Chief Murphy said, "When you think you can't give any more, you reach down deep and you give some more. It's just who we are."
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