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Local Girl Brings Holiday Cheer to Children at A.I. duPont Hospital - This is What Christmas is ALL About!!

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Services for Real Estate Pros with EXIT Shore Realty

A few years ago, Sam Pittman received two presents she will never forget during a Christmas visit to the Emergency Department at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.
   

The nurses at the hospital made their rounds to their young patients and let each pick from a selection of toys. Sam chose a Dr. Barbie Doll for herself and a “Harry Potter” book for her sister, Marianna.
   

That experience made the then first-grader at Brick Mill Elementary School decide to start a toy drive for other children at the hospital.
   

“They gave me presents and I wanted to give the kids presents, too,” Sam said. 
   

The trip to the hospital came shortly after Sam opened her presents on Christmas morning three years ago. She was rushed to the hospital a few minutes later because she has cyclic vomiting syndrome, a spontaneous condition that makes her vomit about every 15 minutes. At that time, the only way her parents knew to stop the vomiting episodes was by intravenous medication. 
   

Lisa Pittman, Sam’s mother, said after they left the hospital, her daughter pitched the idea of a toy drive at her school.
   

“She asked, “Do you think we could do that next year?” Lisa said. “She said it was a bad Christmas and the only thing that made it better was getting a toy.”
   

So during her second-grade year at Brick Mill, Sam held a toy drive in her class and in Marianna’s fifth-grade class.
   

Last year, the entire first- and third-grade at Brick Mill participated in the drive, as did the Appoquinimink Early Childhood Center, where Sam’s brother, Braeden, was a student.
   

“We collected a heap of toys last year,” Lisa said. “I was so surprised at the outpouring from the [childcare] center. We filled seven wagons.”
   

She said A.I. duPont uses Radio Flyer wagons to transport children through the hospital as a way to ease anxiety. 
   

The Pittman family visits the hospital each year before Christmas to drop off the toys. 
   

“I was surprised. There were a lot of toys [last year],” Sam said. “We had to take two cars.” 
   

This year, Sam started the drive at Silver Lake Elementary School, where she is a fourth-grader now. 
   

She said most of the donations are stuffed animals, toy cars and books.
   

SLE Principal Sharon Pepukayi stated in an email message that all holidays represent a time for giving. 
   

“As Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,’ ” she stated. “For students to start at an early age to understand the importance of giving will make the world that much better.”
   

Lisa said Sam doesn’t have to go to the hospital as often now for her episodes because she is able to take the medication Zofran to stop the vomiting.     
   

She said the first time they experienced Sam’s condition was in August 2001.
   

“It took a while to get it diagnosed,” Lisa said. “It would happen randomly.”
   

But the family plans to continue their toy drive tradition and bring joy to other children who have to spend their holiday in a hospital bed. 
   

“Anybody can end up in the hospital on Christmas Day,” Lisa said. “There have been other kids who aren’t as fortunate. Sam is pretty sensitive with that.”
   

Sam said she hopes the presents she collects for the children at A.I. duPont make their Christmas a little better. 
   

“I hope they like the toys and play with them a lot,” Sam said, “and I hope it makes them feel better.”


Marianna, Sam and Jackson Pittman helped deliver toys to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children last Christmas. Sam Pittman started the toy drive at Brick Mill Elementary School after she received a present from the hospital when she was a patient there on Christmas a few years ago.


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John Wingate | Maryland Realtor

Salisbury Maryland Realtor   

  

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John Wingate is a Maryland real estate agent with Exit Shore Realty in Salisbury, MD. John will be helpful with your real estate needs in Somerset County, Wicomico County and Worecester County, MD.

Comments (4)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Merry Christmas!

Longwood Gardens Poinsettias IMG_2220

 

Photographs by Roy Kelley.  Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Dec 24, 2011 04:52 AM
Laura S. Baker
First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI
Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

What an amazing young woman, wise beyond her years.  And what a good heart you have to share this story with all of us.  I wish you and yours all the best this holiday season.

Dec 24, 2011 05:13 AM
Sun City Grand Homes Surprise AZ Real Estate Leolinda Bowers Designated Broker Leolinda Realty
Leolinda Realty - Surprise, AZ
Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona

Christmas is all about giving; this young lady truly knows the Chrismas spirit of love.

 Hawaii Christmas 2011

 

Mele Kalikimaka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou

Dec 24, 2011 05:53 AM
John Wingate
EXIT Shore Realty - Salisbury, MD
Salisbury MD Real Estate, 302.339.5185, Salisbury, MD Homes

It makes me realize about the real meaning of Christmas and the holidays!

I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas and Holiday season!

Dec 24, 2011 06:34 AM