For the children in the pediatric ward at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Philip Vernengo is Santa Claus.
On Dec. 20, Vernengo and fellow Delta Sigma Phi members Justin Reed, William Trudgeon, David DeSteiger and Mike Gadula hosted a Christmas party for the children who would not be home for the holiday.
The fourth-floor pediatric ward of St. John hospital consists of about 15 to 20 children ranging from infants to teens.
“I wanted to do this because those children all suffer from cancer and my uncle had just passed away from that disease,” said Trudgeon, an accounting sophomore.
Vernengo, a human resource senior, donated $1,000 to purchase ice cream, art supplies, candy canes, toys and other holiday trimmings.
“I just like to give back and make the kids happy,” Vernengo said.
The group spent hours choosing presents including coloring books, crayons, Mr. Potato Head dolls, stuffed animals, hand-held video games and MSU apparel, he said.
About 75 toys were purchased.
On the day of the party, they walked from room to room and gave every child a gift appropriate to their age.
Then the children - many of whom were hooked up to IVs - and their parents were invited to the activities center for stocking decorating and an ice cream social.
“Most of the kids are pretty sick and were excited to get a toy and get out of their room for a few hours,” Vernengo said.
Some of the children were unable to leave their rooms due to severe illness, but the group made sure that no one missed out on the celebration by delivering the gifts to them.
Inside the activities center, Vernengo and his friends talked with the children and encouraged them to have fun.
“These boys got down on their knees, played with the kids and got right into it,” said Sandra Dimaso, teacher and child life specialist at St. John Hospital.
“Usually the children are intimidated by visitors, but they were very comfortable with them.”
The boys also refurbished the pediatric playroom with toys, including computer games and video tapes, so that the spirit of the holidays can be achieved outside December.
“I was truly impressed,” Dimaso said. “They were an excellent example of the greek system.”
