VENTURA : Underwriters to Buy Toys for Ill Children
Children at the Ventura County Medical Center will have a special Christmas this year, thanks to the Ventura Assn. of Health Underwriters, a group of insurance professionals. Several members are scheduled to visit the pediatrics ward Wednesday with toys ranging from electronics to board games.
The members will be dressed in Santa Claus hats and Dr. Warren Lovell, the county coroner, will be Santa, said Sylvia Worrick, director of volunteers at the hospital.
Children will be asked before the visit what they would like for Christmas, and members will try to match their requests, Worrick said. An estimated 15 children will be there.
In the past, children have received gifts of dolls and sweaters made by volunteers.
Association members have also bought a recliner chair for one of the hospital rooms, allowing parents to sleep near their children at night, Worrick said.
Ken Gutzke, program chairman for the association, said members will spend about $3,000 on the toys and chair, and hope to make the program a tradition.
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