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Cooks
Children's Hospital
‘Parents’ Night Out’
By Vaune Wilson
Skiff Staff
“Parents’ Night Out” at Cook Children’s
Medical Center is a gratifying volunteer opportunity
for TCU students, said Jude Dainton, the program’s
sitter coordinator.
About
once a month, local restaurants cater a meal for 40
people, and activities are held for the parents of patients
at Cook Children’s, she said.
“It
is an opportunity for the parents to have an evening
just for adults where they can get out of the room and
visit with other parents,” Dainton said.
While
the parents are downstairs, volunteer sitters entertain
the patients, she said.
“These parents are landlocked with a lot of responsibilities
and are so grateful just to have that hour out of the
room,” she said.
Ashley
Vaughn, a senior nursing student who has volunteered
as a server, agrees.
“The
parents come in looking worn and leave rejuvenated,”
she said.
Macaroni
Grill, Harrigan’s and Central Market have all catered
for the program, which has continued for almost 10 years,
Dainton said. Activities typically include bingo, movies,
entertainers (such as a singer) or a holiday-related
activity like pumpkin carving, she said. Often a local
florist will donate centerpieces and door prizes are
frequently awarded, she said.
“Parents’
Night Out” is so popular that they have a waiting
list each month for those who don’t get their reservations
in on time, Dainton said. Volunteering as a sitter only
takes about an hour and a half each month, she said.
To
apply to be a volunteer at Cook Children’s you
have to fill out an application, submit two letters
of recommendation and be interviewed, she said. After
acceptance, you must go through a training course and
be tested for tuberculosis, she said.
Cook
Children’s also needs volunteers for other department
services such as the information desk, gift shop, community
clinics and summer camp counselors.
For
more information about volunteering at Cook Children’s
Medical Center, call the Volunteer Services Department
at 817-885-4208 or visit the Web site at (www.cookchildrens.com/CC/Cook/volunteer.asp).
v.l.wilson@tcu.edu
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