Families continue book, tape donations
On June 28, the family and friends of Gordon Lovingood of Mount Pleasant and Patricia Lovingood of West Ashley gathered at MUSC's Children's Hospital to present more than 600 books. Their activity commemorated and honored the memory of 18-year-old Charley Lovingood.
Mary
Ellen Ondo and Matt Ondo show Children’s Hospital patient Jennifer Herndon,
7, a Madeline book from part of the latest donations of the Loving Good
Books Project. More than 550 donated books, portable tape recorders and
taped books were collected from the Charleston community in memory of Charley
Lovingood.
Established in 1999, the “Loving Good Books Project” continues to collect books and funds in memory of Charley or other patients who have benefitted from care and services at MUSC Children's Hospital. This is the third year of the project, which has collected more than 2,000 books that have come in from local and distant family, friends and community businesses. Funds were also used to purchase books recommended by MUSC Child Life Services Director Sandra Oberman.
“This program has made a significant difference for many inpatients and outpatients who have been able to derive great pleasure from reading,” Oberman said.
The new West Ashley High School Beta Club and the West Ashley Westminster Summer Bible School Program contributed many books this year.
New to the program is the purchase of more than 550 new books, 16 cassette tape recorders and books-on-tape selections for this year's project. This feature will provide enjoyment for those children who have reading difficulties or cannot read independently.
The group also donated blank tapes that allow some parents to read to a child by recording their voice, personal message or song. The books will be used to support three reading programs developed to encourage young patients and their parents during their hospital stay.
For more information about the Lovingood Book Project, contact coordinator
Mary Ellen Ondo at 556-8174.