Pediatric patients benefit
from generosity of anonymous donor
PRESQUE ISLE — The spirit of giving is alive and well in Aroostook County as families of children at TAMC’s Aroostook Pediatrics who have been recipients of a regular generous gift of clothing from an anonymous benefactor know firsthand.
Contributed photo
STAFF, PROVIDERS AND GRATEFUL PATIENTS at TAMC’s Aroostook Pediatrics look over the brand new seasonal clothing items recently sent by an anonymous donor for the families of patients. Similar boxes of donated items are sent by the same donor regularly each season. Checking out the gifts are, from left: Michael Beaulier, manager of Aroostook Pediatrics; Jennifer Robichaud, clinical manager; Lori Eckerstorfer, physician’s assistant; Angela King (holding 2-month-old Carrigan) and her husband, Spencer King, of Washburn; and Virginia Joles, TAMC philanthropy lead.
Jennifer Robichaud, RN, clinical supervisor at Aroostook Pediatrics, says the boxes have been coming several times a year on a regular basis for a number of years, and the staff and families who receive the items welcome the gift with excitement and anticipation. The contents of each box usually contain clothing and other items valued between $200-$300 that are season-appropriate items.
“A typical box is always different. Most often there are seasonal items — whatever holiday is nearby,” said Robichaud. “Bibs, hats and mittens in the winter, handmade pillow cases that usually are fun characters the kids recognize or holiday-related, homemade bath towels with hoods, clothing for children from birth to 5 or 6 years of age, socks, undergarments, bath mitts, and sometimes even school supplies such as markers, crayons and pencils.”
Boxes arrived in October and November with fall and holiday-themed contents.
“I recently delivered the second box to Jennifer Robichaud at Aroostook Pediatrics, and it is so much fun to watch them oohing and ahhhing over the cute outfits,” said TAMC’s Philanthropy Lead Virginia Joles.
Robichaud said she receives the items and has help from many people at Aroostook Pediatrics taking care of the clothing and distributing them to children who will benefit from the gift.
“We distribute them to any child/family that is here at the office who needs them or may find joy in them,” said Robichaud. “Sometimes that cute little Christmas outfit we give that family is the only one they may receive. Or the sweet little boy or girl who just received vaccines gets a little something like a homemade pillow case to brighten their day. It brings joy to these families, as well as to those of us here at Aroostook Pediatrics. We love to make these kiddos smile.”
The children and their families are grateful for the thoughtful and generous donations. During an October distribution of the items, Spencer and Angela King of Washburn received an outfit for 2-month-old Carrigan King.
Angela King said, “I think it’s great. It’s wonderful. Carrigan was all decked out for Halloween. We are most grateful and think it is quite thoughtful that someone would do such a kind gesture.”
“We get many, many ‘thank yous.’ They are always very appreciative and grateful. We have heard, ‘Oh! We were looking for an outfit to have his/her Christmas pictures done in. Now we have one!’ or ‘Oh, I love that!’ from the little ones,” said Robichaud, who says she is personally grateful for the program, as well. “I look forward to seeing the items that are sent each quarter. Sometimes we even have people in mind when we see the items as they are unpacked from the boxes.”
The boxes always seem to come at the right time to help someone out who has a need.
At the October distribution event, Melinda Burby of Ashland, who has five children between the ages of six months and 11 years old, said, “I would like to convey to the donor, thank you so very much. It actually makes a huge difference in our lives. Every little bit helps. We are most grateful. This is not the first time we have received an article of clothing which I have handed down from one child to another.”
With the holidays upon us and in the face of a cold winter, the generosity of the clothing donor is felt even more than usual and the staff at TAMC’s Aroostook Pediatrics, as well as the patients who benefit from the gifts, appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gesture.
