Local Children Form Group to Support Pediatric Patients at The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center

A group of philanthropy-minded children who call themselves ‘Forever Kids’ recently visited The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center to spread cheer to the hospital’s pediatric patients and to drop off a $300 donation to support the child life program.

The group of five children from the Tonino and Tansey families of Howell raised the money by selling rainbow loom bracelets and, in warmer months, setting up a lemonade stand.

During their visit, Forever Kids handed out ‘treasure bags’ containing stickers, mini skateboards, notepads and more to eight pediatric patients to help keep them busy during their stay. They left 32 treasure bags with Kristin Kuhi, the child life specialist at The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, to be given to patients in the future.

“The children lost their grandfathers very early, which influenced their determination to help others. They just want to bring a smile to other kids’ faces,” says Kristy Tonino, mother to Forever Kids members Avary, 9; Sophie Mae, 6; and Billy, 2. The group also includes children from the Tansey family – Abigail, 8, and Brayden, 6.

The families chose The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center because they are from the area and thought it was very important to give back to a local child life program.

The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center offers the highest level of pediatric services for newborns to adolescents, including cutting-edge treatment, specialized expertise and an unsurpassed dedication to medical excellence in 32 pediatric subspecialty areas.

PHOTO ATTACHED.
Caption:
From left: Howell residents and creators of ‘Forever Kids’ Avary Tonino, 9; Brayden Tansey, 6; Abigail Tansey, 8; Sophie Mae Tonino, 6; and Billy Tonino, 2 (front) recently visited The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and showed hospital employees Kristin Kuhi, Certified Child Life Specialist; Debra Petersen, clinical director of the Pediatrics Unit/PICU; and Ashley Boyd, Major Gifts Development Associate, Monmouth Medical Center Foundation the sign they created to help sell rainbow loom bracelets and lemonade to support pediatric patients.

About Monmouth Medical Center
Located in Long Branch, N.J., Monmouth Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, along with The Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, is one of New Jersey's largest academic medical centers and has been a teaching affiliate of Philadelphia’s Drexel University College of Medicine for more than 40 years. From its earliest days, Monmouth Medical Center has been a leader in surgical advancement and has introduced many technological firsts to the region, including robotic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques. The hospital is routinely recognized by HealthGrades, the nation’s largest premier independent health care quality company, for excellence in both emergency medicine and maternity care. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Monmouth as a regional leader in cancer, geriatrics, gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery. For more information on Monmouth Medical Center, visit www.barnabashealth.org.