Reading Hospital Magnet Nurse Champions led the 16th annual “Stuff the Bus” project to benefit three elementary schools in the Reading School District.
More than 100 hospital departments created “dream boxes” and filled them with classroom supplies to help teachers and students have a great start to the school year. The boxes included donated items, such as folders, notebooks, pencils, markers, crayons, tissues, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, and they were delivered to 25 school nursing offices and 92 classrooms at Glenside Elementary School, Millmont Elementary School, and Tyson-Schoener Elementary School.
“Caring and compassion come naturally to the staff at Reading Hospital,” said Nicole Betton, MSN, RN, CNOR-CARD, an Operating Room Nurse, Chair, Magnet Champion Team and Stuff the Bus organizer. “We want the teachers and children in our community to know we are here for them and be sure they have the tools they need to succeed in school.”
The hospital’s Magnet Champion Team is the embodiment of “teamwork makes the dream work.” They plan and coordinate the effort, which includes partnering with various departments to adopt classrooms and fulfill teacher wish lists.
“Our team members are the heart and soul of our hospital,” said Charles F. Barbera, Reading Hospital president and CEO. “Their commitment to the community exhibits our mission and values. They continue to make a difference inside and outside of the hospital walls, and I commend them for their efforts.”