Big Day with Amazon at Seattle Children’s!
Families at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) received a special delivery this week thanks to Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Amazon. Two larger-than-life gift boxes filled with toys, Amazon devices and gift cards brightened the day for kids at the hospital and OBCC, a community clinic located in Seattle’s Central District which provides medical, dental, mental health and nutrition services to families, regardless of their ability to pay.
Partnering with Russell Wilson
Tuesdays are usually an exciting day at Seattle Children’s because of Russell Wilson’s weekly visits to the hospital, but this Tuesday’s visit was extra merry. Christmas came early for patients and families at Seattle Children’s. And Wilson invited a special guest to help spread even more holiday cheer, Ciara.
Wilson’s, Why Not You Foundation and Amazon partnered together to donate Amazon devices, like the Fire HD and Kindle Paperwhite, to every patient at the hospital. Wide eyes and big smiles filled the hospital today and made today’s blue Tuesday one of the brightest and most festive of the year.
“Today we made a very special delivery for Seattle Children’s,” said Sam Kennedy, an Amazon spokesperson. “We really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of today and hope that the donations make the holidays a little brighter for some very deserving families and children.”
Amazon donated hundreds of devices and gift cards from Seattle Children’s Amazon Wish List.
An unexpected visit
Joseph Thomas, 16, has been a patient at Seattle Children’s since Thanksgiving.
“I’ve been in a hospital bed for a long time,” said Joseph. “It was nice to get out of my room. I’ve spent a lot of time here.”
Joseph suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident while traveling home for the holidays in November. Due to the accident, he lost some mobility in his legs and ankles. He’s expected to recover, but he’ll need up to a year of rehabilitation. Currently, he’s limited to a walker, but that didn’t stop him from attending today’s event and meeting Russell Wilson.
For Joseph, today wasn’t about receiving a gift; it was the sentiment that made him smile ear-to-ear.
“I just watched Russell Wilson play this weekend,” said Joseph. “It was really nice and surreal to see him today. It’s the thought that means the most. He really cares.”
Joseph is an avid reader, so a new Kindle was on his wish list this year.
“It’s like he knew what I wanted,” added Joseph.
But meeting Wilson and receiving a new Kindle weren’t the only surprises Joseph received today. He got some good news. He gets to go home tomorrow! After being in the hospital for so long, today was a nice way to say goodbye to the hospital he’s called home for almost a month.
A surprise for the holiday
Across town in Seattle’s Central District, kids were beaming with excitement at the sight of the giant Amazon gift box. One towered over little Li’mara Hunter, 3, in the lobby of OBCC where the giant box was displayed. With a smile on her face she waited patiently for Jolly Santa Claus to open the box so she could pick out a present from the pile within. Giggling as she picked a present from the pile that was bigger than her, she held the gift tightly as she smiled and ran over to show her mother.
“We just happened to be here today,” said Jackie Hunter, Li’mara’s mother. “It was so very special for us.”
The Hunter family didn’t know if they’d be able to have a Christmas this year, so when they walked into the lobby of OBCC to see a giant Amazon gift box, they were surprised.
“It was a hard day, but this made it easier,” added Hunter.
Original blog post: http://pulse.seattlechildrens.org/russell-wilson-and-amazon-bring-holiday-cheer-to-seattle-childrens/