Children offer support to young patients at TGH

TAMPA (FOX 13) - No child likes to go to the hospital, but a group of kids who were actually eager to go might put a smile on your face. 

Fourth graders from Christ the King Catholic School packed up for a very important mission.
 
"We are coming to support the children who have burns," student Ryan Geske said.

Ryan and his classmates went to Tampa General Hospital to deliver stuffed animals, cards and books to sick children.

Fourth Grader Amelia Edgar added, "it's going to comfort them and, like, give them joy."

The project, in its third year, is the brain child of teacher Mary Brown. She said she got the idea from her daughter, who is a nurse at TGH.

"It's so important for our children to participate in a project such as this, because kids give to kids, kids love kids," Brown said.

The idea is to provide unselfish service to other children.
 
"To know that someone cares makes them feel a little more special, a little more loved, definitely help to recover in the long term, in a faster way," explained nurse Kimberly Maynell.

Children recuperating at TGH really seemed to appreciate the act of kindness.
 
"They're so sweet and it's very nice of them," a patient named Emily said. "Thank You."

The students have been working on this project for six weeks. They sold lemonade to raise money for the items.