Annie Goldsnider, Child Life Technology Specialist at Connecticut Children’s Hospital discusses the impact of gaming on the healing process. https://youtu.be/A6_kFPc1FYY
Blog
September 30, 2024
HUNTINGTON, NY, September 26, 2024 – The 21st gathering of the Companions in Courage Family at the foundation’s annual Golf Classic was one that attendees won’t soon forget. In addition to honoring one of the foundation’s greatest all-time volunteers, the group was able to “assist” an artist who has contributed to the organization for decades, and they announced four new Lion’s Den projects!
The highlight of the dinner was when long-time volunteer, Cheryl Brown was recognized with the 2024 Clark Gillies Pioneer Award. Pat LaFontaine spoke lovingly of how he met the Brown family more than 40 years ago while a teenager playing for the Islanders at Cantiague Park in Hicksville. He wound up playing video games in the Brown’s Hicksville living room with young Clinton – a boy who needed more than 30 surgeries to correct a rare congenital bone issue.
The hockey player and the family became life-long friends, and Cheryl vowed to always do whatever she could to support LaFontaine’s charity. There were not many dry eyes in the room when Cheryl, her husband Clinton and son finished their remarks.
Michigan artist Paul Madden created another of his one-of-a-kind commemorative original drawings featuring Pat LaFontaine’s career spanning time on Long Island, Buffalo and in with the Rangers. Unlike in any other year though, there was a twist. Madden has recently been diagnosed with a Stage IV kidney ailment and may face the need for a transplant. All participants at the Golf Classic were encouraged to hit Madden’s “Go Fund Me “page and donate. All donors that day were placed in a raffle and a winner was awarded the original piece of art. Generous companions more than tripled Madden’s existing donations and Nick Patti, Jr. was declared winner of the piece.
The day was filled with other poignant moments, including traditional tributes (at Amen Corner and at the post-event dinner) to CiC Foundation supporters who have passed in the last year. Long-time supporter Mike Sherin sadly joined the list this year. Remembered with love were Clark Gillies, Mike Bossy, Jean Potvin, Rod Gilbert, Guy Lafleur, Gerry Hart and friends of the foundation that included Rusty McCormick, Terry Sheerin, Tony Trombino, Danny Brown, Flo Gries and John LaFontaine.
Executive Director (obviously fresh off a win at Augusta) Jim Johnson provided a review of activities the foundation has participated in during the last year. He cited the refurbishment of the Lion’s Den Room at Goryeb Children’s at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. He updated the group on the Lion’s Den Room that will be opened later this year at Yale New Haven Children’s.
He then discussed two new projects. Mary & Mike Heagerty wanted to create a legacy gift near Mike’s hometown in Central New York. They have committed to create a Lion’s Den Room at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse. The foundation is also in the process of creating another Lion’s Den at Good Samaritan Hospital in Islip on Long Island.
LaFontaine welcomed former Islanders and teammates Bob Nystrom, Butch Goring, Benoit Hogue, Steve Webb and Randy Wood. Broadcast Hall of Famer Jiggs McDonald also participated. The celebrities included former NBA star Wally Szczerbiak and his dad Walter Szczerbiak. Every participant received a copy of Buzz Deschamp’s new book, “A Stick in the Window.” The local hockey legend provided a personal inscription and autograph in every book.
Clark Gavin of the Jerry Wood foursome posted the Men’s Individual Low Gross. Kenzie Maloney of Collins Building Services (and the Islanders) took the Women’s Low Gross Award.
Adam Frimmer (2’ 2”) won the Closest-to-the-Pin contest on Hole #12. Peter Guetig and Kenzie Maloney took the Long Drive awards on Hole #7 for Men and Women respectively. Adam Frimmer won the Beat the Pro contest in a post round putt off. He took home a 1.75 bottle of Clase Azul Tequila, courtesy of Lowell Supran.
The foursome from Northwestern Mutual – that included Chris Andricopoulos, Giovanni Filippone, Andrew Mitchell and Peter Guetig took the low gross team honors. They bested the runner-up The Port View Leasing team – Adam & Brian Frimmer, Thomas Stremich and Sean Sullivan.
LaFontaine thanked the Franchise sponsors – Lombardi Design & Manufacturing, Hess Associates and One80 Intermediaries and Edward Hall Insurance. He also thanked the Major sponsors that included the Heagerty Family Foundation, Port View Leasing, Striano Electric, the McAuley Family Foundation, Patti Spray Fireproofing, Simplifi Medical, the Croatian-American Foundation, the Michael McCarthy Foundation, John Moran CPA, the Unsung Siblings Foundation, ANRON, Northwestern Mutual, New York Islanders, NFP Corporation, McMahon Foundation, Classic Auctions, Rob MacInnis, Jerry Wood, Kevin & Tim Sheerin.
LaFontaine also thanked Steve Hess of Hess Associates for sponsoring the Cocktails and Dinner; Jim Buzzetta of Mercedes of Huntington for sponsoring the Hole-in-One contest; Ken Delaney for sponsoring Brunch, Scott Paternoster of Chief Media for sponsoring the Caddies; Jerry Wood for sponsoring the Texas Hold’em Tournament; Rob MacInnis for sponsoring the Premium Cigars; and Lowell Supran of Clase Azul Spirits for sponsoring Beat-the-Pro.
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NEW YORK, NY – December 8, 2023
From December 5th through the 7th, Santa Claus (and Père Noël) made personalized visits with pediatric patients in 15 children’s hospitals from New York to Anchorage. The 16th annual Santa Connection was another unqualified success.
Mark Leff of Exclusive Networks served as coordinator for the event, and he was assisted once again by Steve Maykowski of Google. Leff said, “Steve and I discussed this being an ideal case of using technology for good, making a real impact. We also marveled at how the hospitals really understood what they needed to do as well. Just the fact that all 15 slots were taken in only a few days back in September is another testament of the significance of this event and the impact we are making.” Eric Schwartz at Connoisseur Media on Long Island provided a workshop setting at the station for Santa to hunker down for a few days of merriment.
Santa Claus spent the first couple of days listening to patients share their hopes and dreams. The Child Life Specialists at each hospital provided an “assist” by forwarding a cheat sheet on each patient. Old St. Nick knew the names of siblings, their favorite hobbies and details about their pets (and their Elf on the Shelf!) He was ably joined by the elf, Holly (Barbara Stagnari), and a host of elves committed to singing and confirming the availability of toys that the patients requested.
On the final day of the Santa Connection, our attention shifted north of the border to Père Noël (Nick Marion). The bilingual Père Noël was able to effortlessly converse with patients in both French and English. Regardless of the language, the sentiment was all the same – it was all about feeling merry and bright.
Through the generosity of its donors, the Companions in Courage Foundation provided gift cards for each patient. Many of the Child Life staff listened to what the patients asked Santa for and then used the gift cards to provide that item. Smiles and holiday cheer filled the air!
NEW YORK, NY – December 18, 2023
The Lions Den Room at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s in New York City has always been referred to internally as our “million-dollar room.” That’s a reflection of both its value to the pediatric patients and the Child Life staff, but it’s also a nod to the room’s location on Fifth Avenue, overlooking Central Park.
During the pandemic, this room served as a respite from the scourge of COVID. Not only could patients safely visit the room for a few minutes of play or to complete homework assignments, it also provided a safe place where doctors could have confidential discussions with parents. Additionally, the room was a place where staff could safely take a few minutes to drop their masks and catch their breath.
When Diane Rode, Senior Director of Patient and Family Centered Care, heard from administrators that a department shift would necessitate the closing of the Lions Den space, she went into action. Rode immediately began negotiating for a new spot to move the resources of this valuable room. She found that space on another floor and with a slightly different view, but it was going to be a Lions Den.
Working with Companions in Courage Foundation, fabricators from Art Guild and the Facilities staff at the hospital, Rode was able to re-purpose some of the features of the existing Lions Den Room and add a host of updated touches. The new space has a new workstations, a new gaming console and a couple of large screen TVs for video conferencing and watching movies. A variety of soothing videos from MedCalm round out the patient options.
The ribbon-cutting for the new space took place on Monday, December 18th, with Pat LaFontaine on hand to cut the ribbon. He said, “we are grateful to Diane and her team for their commitment to the Lions Den Room and the effort they put in to find it a new home.”
This is how WABC-TV in New York covered the re-opening.
https://cic16.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Pat-LaFontaine-segment_WABC31461007.mp4
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