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Date: December 10, 2007
Contact: Kevin Rose: (708) 647-3184

Addolorata Villa residents bring stuffed animals, Christmas joy to children at Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital

Wheeling – Seeing children smile at Christmastime as they open their gifts is one of the many joys that come with the holiday season. But for those children who must spend Christmas morning away from the comforts of their own home, smiles can be difficult to come by.

That is why the residents of Addolorata Villa in Wheeling took it upon themselves to spread some joy to children who are ill staying at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge this holiday season.

The residents showed their Christmas spirit by making and hand delivering stuffed animals to the children. They made penguins, elephants, monkeys, alligators, French poodles and flamingoes.

Before the residents permanently closed the stuffed animals, they put a special charm inside each animal for good luck and said a special prayer for them.

Addolorata Villa resident Jim DeCantillon wrote on the gift bag of the stuffed animal he made, “I’m your new friend. Hold me safe in your arms. I hope you like me because I love you.”

The residents were allowed to enter the children’s room to present their gift as well as spend some time with the children reminiscing about their own Christmas experiences.

“The residents tucked the animals into individual gift bags with only the animal’s head sticking out,” said Donna Swanson, memory care coordinator at Addolorata Villa. “The bags were tied shut with ribbons that said ‘live, laugh, love.’ The children immediately bonded with the stuffed animals they chose and hugged it the entire time we visited them in the hospital.”

“The stuffed animals were made with a lot of love and it was clear the children felt that love as smiles were plentiful,” Swanson said.

Offering independent and assisted living apartments, along with skilled nursing, memory support, therapy services and respite care, Addolorata Villa is a member of the Franciscan Communities family, which includes Franciscan Village in Lemont, Marian Village in Homer Glen, St. James Manor & Villas in Crete, The Village at Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst, St. Joseph Village of Chicago and The Clare at Water Tower, both in Chicago, and St. Anthony Home in Crown Point, Ind.

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