Patient Hannah Baggett, 8, gets a hug and a Tangerine Bear from Trisha Yearwood on Monday in the playroom at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Yearwood brings tangerine dreams
Patient Thomas West, 7, was first in line to receive a Tangerine bear from Trisha Yearwood on Monday in the playrooom. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Patient Rodrick Payne, 8, talks with Mimmie McKnight of Child Life about his Tangerine Bear. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Country music singer Trisha Yearwood, citing the “great work done here with children,” presented Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital with a Starlight Fun Center and handed out Tangerine Bears to children this week.
Starlight Fun Centers are mobile entertainment units containing a TV monitor, VCR and a Nintendo-64 game unit thatcan roll to the side of a child’s bed.
Yearwood said she was pleased to make the presentation, which coincides with the release of Artisan Home Entertainment’s “Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas.” Yearwood, who narrates and sings in the animated film, donated her time to the project. Fifty-cents from each VHS and DVD sale of Tangerine Bear will benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The story chronicles the heartwarming story of a stuffed bear whose smile was accidentally sewn upside down. When he fails to attract a buyer, he befriends a group of oddball toys that becomes like a family to him. In the process he learns that what makes us different is what makes us special. The animated story will also air on ABC television as a holiday special.
“We are grateful to receive another Starlight Fun Center,” said Terrell Smith, administrative director of the Children’s Hospital. “And we appreciate the efforts of Miss Yearwood in working with our Children’s Hospital.”