Pictured from left, Debra Peterson, Clinical Director of Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU, The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center; Kylie, Chris and Todd Katz, Trustee, Monmouth Medical Center; Bill Arnold, Chief Operating Officer, Monmouth Medical Center; Frank J. Vozos, M.D., FACS, President and Chief Executive Officer, Monmouth Medical Center; Meg Fisher, M.D., Chair of Pediatrics and Medical Director of The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical; Bob Mataranglo, local artist and Katz family friend.

Monmouth Medical Center volunteer Kylie Katz recently helped introduce the Barnabas Kids Activity Kart to bring smiles to the faces of pediatric patients at The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. 

The Activity Kart, donated by Kylie's family in honor of her deceased grandfather Larry Katz, is a mobile activity cart loaded with games, puzzles, activities and arts and crafts. Manned by volunteers, the Kart can be easily maneuvered into patient rooms around the pediatric floor to engage young hospital patients with playful interaction. 

A sophomore at Biotech High School in Freehold, Kylie began volunteering at Monmouth Medical Center when she was 13. Her responsibilities initially included directing visitors to various parts of the hospital, as well as delivering flowers and gifts to patients throughout the hospital. 

When Kylie realized she wanted to spend more time with younger patients, she worked directly with Meg Fisher, M.D., chair of pediatrics at Monmouth and medical director of The Unterberg Children's Hospital and Laura Siemientkowski, volunteer coordinator, to develop Barnabas Kids Activity Kart program. 

"For the patient, it brings back a sense of fun and innocence that a stay in the hospital can sometimes hinder, and, for the volunteers, the program empowers us to make a difference in the life of someone who is going through a difficult time," said Kylie. "My grandpa loved kids, especially his seven grandchildren. I think he would be proud of this program." 

In addition to helping create the concept of the Activity Kart, Kylie also enlisted the help of others to turn the idea into a reality - including local artist and family friend, Bob Mataranglo, to transform the cart itself into a work of art on wheels, as well as friends and classmates to volunteer with the program.

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Sea Girt Elementary School students Kathleen Keefe, age 7, and Zoe Keefe, age 6 with Beth Baratz, child life specialist, Monmouth Medical Center; Alice Keefe, co-chair, Spread the Love Dance, Sea Girt Parent-Teacher Organization; Jean McKinney, director of development, Monmouth Medical Center Foundation; Susan Dulczak, clinical director, Valerie Fund Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and Pediatric Medical Day Stay; and Heather Grossman, M.D., section chief of pediatric hematology/oncology at The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center.

Representatives from the Sea Girt Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and students of Sea Girt Elementary School recently visited Monmouth Medical Center to present a $500 donation to The Valerie Fund Children's Center at The Unterberg Children's Hospital. 

The funds, raised during Sea Girt Elementary School's "Spread the Love" dance for daughters and their fathers or other special person, will be used to purchase gifts for attendees of the Annual Valerie Fund Summer Beach Party. The Beach Party provides Valerie Fund patients past and present the opportunity to relax and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities. 

"Rather than buy favors for the kids who attended the dance, we decided to put the money to an even better use and, to go along with the theme of the dance, spread the love to someone who might need it by making a donation to The Valerie Fund Center," said Alice Keefe, co-chair of the "Spread the Love" dance. 

"We are so grateful the Sea Girt PTO and these young children wanted to 'pay it forward' to sick children," said Susan Dulczak, MSN, RN-CS, PNP, clinical director of Monmouth Medical Center's Valerie Fund Children's Center. "Their donation will help us put a smile on the faces of our young patients." 

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The Barnabas Health Family Festival & Kids Races drew throngs of families to Long Branch's North Beach on Saturday, April 26. The day featured fun children's activities, prizes, refreshments, entertainment and more. Children also had the opportunity to decorate boards to cheer on runners in Sunday's Marathon. The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center also hosted a teddy bear and doll clinic.