Students donate books to help Parkland patients.
Each year
Parkland's burn center cares for more than 1000 patients. With what sometimes can be a lengthy stay for recovering patients and families; stress relief including recreational entertainment is considered vital for the healing process.
Often immobile and confined to their beds, patients find comfort in reading books, playing games and watching television. Recently a local community lent a helping hand by donating books to the center.
Fourth graders at James F. Delaney Elementary School in Kennedale recently held a book drive, donating more than 1,000 new and gently used books to Parkland's burn center. They had one goal in mind: to ensure patients, who often stay long periods of time in the hospital, have books to read.
After hearing Parkland's burn center needed books, students quickly became eager to learn about Parkland's burn-injured patients. Teachers taught students how they could prevent burns by practicing a fire escape plan at home and not playing with lighters and matches.
The children made posters to hang in and around the school and community seeking book donations. They also made weekly school announcements encouraging fellow students to donate books.
The children truly had Parkland's patients in mind and wouldn't stop until they reached their goal. Each morning, I had to draw straws to see which student could go to the classrooms to collect donations. All of them were so excited to help, said fourth grade teacher Bethany Van Wart.
In just a few weeks, students collected 1,802 books to donate to Parkland's patients.
These books mean the world to our patients. Burn-injured patients can sometimes spend up to a year in our burn center and time away from home confined to a hospital room can become boring, even depressing, explained Sue Vanek, burn program manager. Thanks to the students at Delaney, our patients and their families will always have a way to take their mind off their medical needs.
She Is Dallas Info:  This information was provided by Parkland Hospital. Article was written by  Charise Thomason.  For more information about the Parkland burn center, please visit  www.parklandhospital.com.
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