Golden Knights “Step Up to the Plate” for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

On Friday, May 2, members of the St. Francis High School baseball program teamed up with Once Upon A Room and the nurses at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to deliver a special surprise to a group of boys and girls currently receiving treatment as patients at the hospital. The initiative was appropriately titled “Step Up to the Plate” – and the St. Francis baseball program did just that! As a demonstration of the student’s commitment to community service, the players and parents from the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity baseball teams raised over $4,000 dollars in just a few shorts weeks in order to make this tremendous effort a reality. The money allowed the teams to purchase items that were used to decorate patients’ rooms based off of the interests of each individual child.

While the patients were out receiving treatment, the Golden Knights broke up into small groups and transformed plain hospital rooms into specialized living areas fit for kings and queens. The young men joyfully displayed their love by providing those special touches that made each area into a comfortable space that the boys and girls could temporarily call home. The joy and happiness on the children’s faces was priceless as they returned to find their room decorated with Sponge Bob Square Pants, princesses and butterflies, and Captain America. This was certainly an experience that the SFHS baseball players will never forget.

A special thanks to the players, coaches, and parents who worked so hard to bring smiles to the faces of the boys and girls and Children’s Hospital LA. It is also important to recognize Once Upon a Room and the staff at Children’s Hospital for making this opportunity possible. You are the difference that we all want to see in our world!

Once Upon a Room provides an invaluable service to children in the hospital who are fighting serious, life threatening illnesses or acute trauma often resulting in permanent disabilities and months of medical care. Based on the child’s likes and special needs, Once Upon a Room customizes a plan to decorate the child’s room with items that he or she can take home with them as part of the continued recovery process. The impact Once Upon a Room has on the spirits of the children, their families and the staff is immeasurable.

St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, (818) 790-0325 or visit http://www.sfhs.net/