🚀 go-pugleaf

Thanks to everyone who helped me collect Kodak UPC symbols to order Kolorkins
stuffed toys for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, Canada.
I was able to order 50 toys and Kodak Canada donated another 50 toys from the
previous offer, held about 2 years ago. All the toys are about 10 inches high,
like a medium-sized teddy bear, made of plush, and look like cute and cuddly
creatures from outer space. Each one has a name beginning with K, e.g. Kikki,
Koink, Kito. The ones I ordered were pink, purple, or orange, and the ones
Kodak donated were magenta, royal blue, or yellow. Thanks to Ms. Vee Lapstra-
Keates in Kodak's Toronto office, Eric Lavoie in the Ottawa office, and the
other people at Kodak who made this such a success. 

Over the many months that I collected the UPC symbols, I was continually 
surprised by the kindness and generosity of perfect strangers from all
around the world, and also my own colleagues here at BNR. It's really
opened my eyes to the goodness in human nature.

I received a letter from the hospital (CHEO) that I'd like to share with you:

Dear Ms. Robinson:
On behalf of the children at CHEO, I would like to thank you very much for
your kind donation of Kolorkins for the patients here in the hospital.

We have decided to give them to our adolescent female patients at our annual
Patients' Christmas Party on Dec. 15. As an added touch, we will attach a bar
of glycerine soap in a coordinating color to match each Kolorkin, which will
make a lovely gift.

CHEO has a very active Child Life program whose aim is to encourage children
to continue normal development while being hospitalized and to help reduce
any stress associated with health care encounters. Child Life has special 
staff who are professionals skilled in providing therapeutic play, recreational
and educational activities for hospitalized children and their families.
Donations such as yours are gratefully accepted and contribute to the 
enrichment of our Child Life program.

Once again, thank you for all your efforts in making this holiday season a
special one for our patients at CHEO.

Happy Holidays!

With heartfelt thanks,
Nora Ullyot, Senior Child Life Specialist
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
A teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Ottawa

A closing note from Jennifer: The Kodak offer is now closed, and I will not
be collecting any more UPC symbols. I have no connection with either Kodak
or CHEO, other than as a satisfied customer. 

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Jennifer A. Robinson                     | "She's a prisoner of public
The opinions expressed are my own.       |  television"
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