Sunshine to the 7th Floor

There are 24 rooms on the seventh floor of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In Asher’s 13 months of life, we have spent roughly 7 weeks on this floor (and counting). We are grateful for this place, the staff, even the food but being in the hospital really just stinks. This time around I really want to help make other kids’ and parents’ experience a little brighter. I have talked to staff members and come up with a few things I would like to do.

First, small sound machines for each room. The hospital is a bright and noisy place to try to sleep, as a patient and as a parent. Having sound machines can help everyone get better rest and have better days.

Second, some more toys for PT and OT. With Covid, having extra toys will give them more time to be cleaned.

Third, Starbucks gift cards for parents. The staff will be able to hand these to parents who are being asked to leave while their child has a procedure done in the room. This gives the parents somewhere to go and something to do instead of just waiting in the lobby.

I would love your help bringing sunshine to the seventh floor. Thank you!