Children at the Regina General Hospital were paid a special visit on Monday morning.
Plush toys from Saturday’s teddy bear toss at the Regina Pats game versus Red Deer were delivered by a few of the players to patients staying in the pediatric unit.
The players went from room to room to visit with young patients and their families while gifting stuffed animals.
“I’ve always wanted to do it and I think it’s really special that we get to come in and hopefully make their day and their Christmas,” said Logan Nijhoff, a forward for the Pats who was delivering some of the toys.
“I think it really helps out the mood in the hospital. It’s definitely a nice opportunity to get away from the rink and spend some time with the kids.”
Faith Ann Riel Blacksioux was one of the patients who had the chance to meet the players and pick her favourite toy.
She admitted it was a good feeling getting a visit from them. “It’s special because it came from the Pats and it’s a stuffed animal,” she said.
While it’s a joyous occasion for the young ones in the hospital, it seems to put as big of a smile on the faces of workers at the General.
Carolynn Clarke, a clinical resource nurse in the pediatric unit, said it’s an event the kids and staff look forward to at this time of the year.
“Definitely boosts their spirits and gives them something to focus on instead of being sick,” explained Clarke. “The staff appreciate it because we know what it does for the kids.”
The Pats also took time to play ball hockey with some of the patients during their visit at the hospital.
2,014 plush toys were thrown onto the ice at the Brandt Centre in Regina during Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Red Deer Rebels.
