Page 6 - Harnett Life Fall 2018

“Harnett Healthcare Bears

to serve a bear-y

important role”

By Morgan Brown

Harnett Health Foundation’s purpose is “To help sup-
port the Harnett healthcare system: the hospitals, clinics,
special programs or services” and “to fill the gap” for
programs and services not covered in Harnett Health’s
budget, including major projects/equipment needs, and
programs and services that will help enhance the qual-
ity of service within the healthcare system as a whole.
The Foundation provides support within the community
through various projects ranging from supplying waiting
room furnishings to recent hospital nursery renovations –
which included new bassinets at Betsy Johnson hospital
– to offering scholarships and certifications for registered
nurses, and funding for new equipment for the Cath Lab
that opened at Central Harnett this past Fall.

Foundation Director since March 2018, Craig Lloyd said
“We are the philanthropic arm of the hospital.” He has
been working diligently to organize a program that is dif-
ferent from the Foundation’s annual Golf Tournament and Healthcare Bears will be dressed in either a white doctor’s
“Bless Your Heart” Dinner & Show events, but one that is coat or scrubs, both outfits complete with Harnett Health
as equally rewarding for all involved. Foundation logo embroidery.

There were 62,206 patient visits to the Central Harnett and The bears would be given to children who are admitted, to
Betsy Johnson Emergency Departments over a 12-month provide some comfort during their hospital stay. Referenc-
period as of Fall 2017. A total of 8,678 patients were ad- ing the approximately 125,000 patients that come through
mitted at Central Harnett Hospital and Betsy Johnson the hospitals and clinics, Mr. Lloyd points out that one could
Hospital within that same period. Mr. Lloyd said “About imagine how many of those patients may be children, and
125,000 patients go through the hospitals and clinics a said, “You can see there’s a need for something like that.”
year.”
The concept of the Harnett Healthcare Bears stems from the
The Harnett Healthcare Bears are the newest addition to work of the Harnett Health Auxiliary and the ‘Toy Makers
the Foundation’s catalog of projects. What makes the Har- Club.’ This group creates handmade stuffed animals in dif-
nett Healthcare Bears program different is that it will be ferent colors and patterns of fabric with a simplified silhou-
ongoing throughout the year; it is a Teddy Bear Drive. ette (think the side profile of a rabbit), to give to children in
You donate 20 dollars to “foster” a bear, which means it the Emergency Department. The tag on each creature reads,
would be given away in your honor, or donate 35 dollars “Handmade with love from the Harnett Health Auxiliary.”
to foster a bear, and get one to keep. For both of these Part of the proceeds from the Harnett Healthcare Bears
options, the sponsor will receive a miniature teddy with a program will go towards support for the Auxiliary and Toy
small tag that serves as a certificate of the donation. The Makers Club, a nod to the group who helped inspire this

Page 6 Harnett Life ~ Fall 2018