ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — UW Health Women and Children’s Hospital received a special donation of over 500 stuffed animals from PetSmart of Machesney Park, just in time for the holidays.
The plush toys, purchased by customers for $5 each, will be used by SwedishAmerican Hospital to provide comfort to young patients throughout the year. In addition to the stuffed animals, PetSmart also donated more than a dozen gingerbread house kits.
“Kids often come to the hospital scared and overwhelmed by this new environment and maybe not feeling well, injured. So, they have a new little friend right away to kind of greet them, makes that experience a little easier for them,” said Stacy Zell-Weavel, a child life specialist at UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital…