Neighborhood children donate books to pediatric unit at St. Anthony's

WARWICK — This past winter, nine young girls between the ages five and 11, from the same neighborhood, organized an informal “Children’s Club.” The specific purpose was to raise enough money to purchase books for less fortunate children in the pediatric unit at St. Anthony Community Hospital. However, they didn’t just ask their parents or neighbors for a simple donation. They also took down Christmas decorations, shoveled snow, chopped ice, raked leaves, cleaned yards, washed cars, and performed various other chores to raise the money. The club included Katie Brewer, 8, and her sisters Jamie, 11, and Haley, 6; Alanna Conklin; Anna Cranston, 9; Megan Shannon, 9; Katherine Warner, 7; and Erica Winkelstein, 9, and her sister Naya, 5. After reaching their goal, the youngsters went to a book fair held at Warwick’s Sanfordville Elementary School. “We purchased books for every age group that we thought children in a hospital would enjoy,” said Erica Winkelstein. “We had $112 to spend.” On Friday, May 12, the children presented the books they had purchased to Anita Sultana, R.N., nurse manager of the pediatric unit. Sultana then escorted the youngsters, and the parents who had accompanied them, on a tour of the unit. “This is a beautiful example of how a group of wonderful youngsters can demonstrate a unique way to make a contribution to our hospital,” said Leah Cerkvenik, administrator of the hospital. “Their gift of books will be enjoyed for many years by all the children who come to our pediatric unit.” For more information on services provided by the hospital, visit www.StAnthonyCommunityHosp.org.