From left, siblings Adam, Daniel and Sara Flash presented the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt more than $100 to buy more Champ dolls for inpatients. The money they raised is part of the Jewish tradition of Tzedakah, where children save a percentage of their allowance each week, and at the end of the year, choose where to donate it.
Photo by Dana Johnson
Effort seeks to re-stock Champ supply
The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt is putting out an urgent plea to the community to help save Champ.
The Hospital's canine “champion” isn't sick, but a stuffed animal made in his likeness that is given to every young inpatient (except newborns) is in critically short supply.
“Champ dolls are made overseas and then must be shipped. The only way to make that affordable is to order the dolls in bulk,” said Susan Kohari, interim Champ Program manager. “We need to place an order at a cost of more that $15,000. That will keep us supplied for maybe six months.”
Currently the Champ fund stands at less than $4,000. Meanwhile, there are only about 100 of the dolls left, so by the first of the year there will be no more Champ dolls to give to patients unless additional funding can be found.
To keep up with the high demand for Champ dolls, hospital officials are re-designing it to be smaller; more like a “beanie Champ.”
“Our patients say they love the beanie style and this will allow us to order smaller dolls in larger amounts and at lower cost,” said Kohari.
The current cost is $16 for each Champ. If you are interested in supporting the Champ doll program, please send checks to: Vanderbilt Children's Health Improvement and Prevention, 3401 West End. Ave., suite 470 W., Nashville, Tenn. 37203-1042.
Make checks Payable to:
Vanderbilt Children's Hospital (put in description line: For Champ Dolls).