Girl Scouts Send Message Of Comfort, Love To Pediatric Patients At TGH

TAMPA BAY, FL — Fifth-graders with Junior Girl Scout Troop 33307 of West Central Florida dropped off some special gifts at Tampa General Hospital. The Scouts spent eight months learning how to design, sew and create 70 gifts called “Hug-Me” pillows for the pediatric patients at TGH.

Each of the girls made at least five pillows to donate to the patients. Their goal was to help relieve stress and fear for the children going through surgery and provide a message of hope and love.

The Girl Scouts even drew cards of encouragement to pin onto the pillows. The material costs were covered by cookie sales and donations from family members.

To make the project more sustainable, they made a video and pamphlet to teach others how to make the “Hug-Me” pillows, so more patients around the country can enjoy these pillows with a heartfelt message.

The organizer was Troop Leader Carol Bouchard, whose daughter Kayla was one of the creators. Bouchard is also a nurse anesthetist in surgical services with Tampa General.