Young patients’ stays at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital pediatrics unit will be a lot brighter thanks to the generosity of Bureau of Corrections employees, who delivered two huge gift bags of toys and necessities for the little patients on Tuesday.
“The whole objective of the donations is to try to bring a little sunshine to the children during their stay here at the hospital,” said Bureau Director Julius Wilson, who made the trip with a half-dozen BOC employees.
The donations were given in celebration of “Corrections Week,” which is held annually the first week of May, as proclaimed by Gov. John deJongh Jr.
Barbara Wiltshire, head of the BOC events committee, said the employees were very generous, giving items they purchased and cash donations to purchase other needed items. She said in the past they have given donations to Queen Louise Home and the Salvation Army.
Evet Rivera, head nurse in Pediatrics, gave a soft, fuzzy blanket to one little patient who didn’t seem too pleased about being in the hospital.
“We are ecstatic about the donations,” Rivera said. “ We really appreciate community support of the unit such as this.”
The children’s activity/waiting room was stocked with donated books, crayons and coloring books. Babies will get booties, caps, gowns, sleepers and "onesies" (one piece bodysuits) to keep.
Corrections Week is designed to highlight the strides the bureau has made in improving the care, custody, and control of prison inmates and the facilities in which they reside.
The week kicked off Sunday with a special service at Kingshill Lutheran Church. The week wraps up Saturday with a banquet at Gertrude’s Restaurant recognizing retirees and current employees for their service to the bureau.
Corrections Week also promotes camaraderie among BOC employees and other law enforcement agencies charged with custody and control, such as Youth Rehabilitation Center and the V.I. Police Department.
