VCU news

By Carrie Carroll

More than 300 people attended Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Kids and Community Fair at the new Children’s Pavilion on April 23.

Kids of all ages enjoyed family-friendly activities such as a “Star in your own CHoR ad” photo booth complete with a green screen and several props and dress-up items to choose from, a paint-by-numbers mural, Lego building station and a “Dress like a firefighter” station as Melissa Chase with 107.3 Play provided music throughout the day. The Sky Terrace, an outdoor “garden in the sky,” was also open to families.

Magicians were on-hand to mesmerize both kids and adults with their magic tricks. Safe Kids Virginia hosted a bike helmet giveaway with complimentary fittings to ensure each child had a proper-fitting helmet. Special visits from Rodney the Ram, Nutzy the Flying Squirrel and Doc McStuffins, as well as a dancing “robot invasion” were a hit with all in attendance. The #RichmondRobots were sighted at Maymont, West Broad Village and Carytown before making their final stop at the Children’s Pavilion.

“I think it’s great to have a community event that includes both inside and outside activities because some kids can’t get outside,” said Emily Driscoll-Hardstock, a mother of a CHoR patient and event volunteer. “This is an especially good way for special needs moms to network, meet and catch up with one another. It’s wonderful to see familiar faces, including the staff, at a fun event instead of at an appointment.”

The new 640,000-square-foot outpatient facility opened to patients in March 2016, providing clinics, lab testing, dialysis, infusions, same-day surgery and family-friendly amenities under one roof. While attendees had a little family fun in the new Children’s Pavilion, they also got to experience the pavilion’s convenient parking deck, interactive floor and Ronald McDonald House Sibling Center. In addition, kids could leave their mark on the new Children’s Pavilion on an aquatic-themed paint-by-numbers mural that will be hung in the building.

“I have two children, a 3-year-old and 7-year-old, and to know that there’s a place like this here in Richmond that is catering specifically to kids and what this means to have in our community, people are just going to be blown away,” Chase said. “It’s fantastic.”

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