Young patients visiting the Emergency Department at PIH Health Downey Hospital will soon benefit from additional comfort and support thanks to a nearly $47,000 grant awarded by the Downey Kiwanis Foundation.
The one-year grant will fund approximately 3,200 pediatric care kits designed to help reduce anxiety and improve the experience for children and adolescents receiving emergency medical care. Each kit will include age-appropriate items such as sensory toys, stuffed animals, books, games, coloring books, crayons, puzzle books, stickers, and pre-loaded iPads to provide comfort and distraction during treatment.
Hospital officials say visits to the Emergency Department can be overwhelming for children due to unfamiliar surroundings, medical procedures, and extended wait times. The care kits are intended to create a more welcoming environment while helping young patients and their families feel more at ease.
“We are grateful to the Downey Kiwanis Foundation for supporting the well-being of our young patients,” said Amy Fitzgerald, Vice President of PIH Health Foundation. “These kits will provide comfort, engagement, and age-appropriate resources that help create a welcoming environment for children and families while they receive care.”
Downey Kiwanis Foundation President Carmen Vasquez Ondrusek said the grant reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting children throughout the community.
“Supporting the health and well-being of children in our community is at the heart of Downey Kiwanis Foundation’s mission,” Ondrusek said. “We are honored to partner with PIH Health Downey Hospital to help create a more comforting and positive experience for young patients and their families during Emergency Department visits.”
PIH Health is a nonprofit regional healthcare network serving approximately three million residents throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. The health system includes hospitals in Downey, Whittier, and Los Angeles, along with outpatient medical offices, specialty services, home healthcare, hospice, and emergency care.
The Downey Kiwanis Foundation supports programs that improve the lives of children and strengthen local communities through service and philanthropy.
