WWII Vet's Gift is Making Children Smile
The gift came with just one request: "Put a smile on kids' faces."
That’s all Bud Eberlin of Weedsport asked when he made a large donation to Golisano Children’s Hospital. Eberlin, a World War II veteran, wanted to give children who were undergoing treatment a reason to smile.
Since then, Golisano Children’s Hospital has been regularly hosting ice cream parties — catered by Abbott’s — for patients in the children’s hospital. Eberlin’s gift has also gone toward supporting the Get Well Network, which allows children to have on-demand television, movies, and videogames in their hospital rooms.
“Of course it’s wonderful to give the kids a reason to smile during the day, but gifts like this go so much further than that,” said Wendy Lane, Wegmans Child Life Program Coordinator at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “When kids are in a positive place mentally, it actually supports their recovery — they get better more quickly and can get back home sooner. We’ve learned here to never underestimate the healing power of happiness.” Thank you, Bud!