Tuesday, December 06, 2022
Special visit by Santa kicks off week of giving at Beaumont Children’s Center for Exceptional Families in Dearborn
Santa will arrive early with the Dearborn Fire Department on Tuesday for children with special needs who receive care at the Beaumont Children’s Center for Exceptional Families (CEF) in Dearborn.
Later in the week, hundreds of gifts will be picked up by CEF families, including items donated by hundreds of team members and their families from Corewell Health East, the new name for Beaumont Health. The “Caring for Kids” program, now in its 15th year, will help 140 families (including more than 350 children) during the holiday season this year.
More than 80 Corewell Health East teams sponsored families this year, including five teams that took on two or three families and 35 individual employees who are sponsoring a family with their own family or friends. Throughout the year, CEF staff identifies families in need of assistance during the holidays.
“I am so proud as I learn every day about the giving spirit of our Corewell Health team members and their support of our patients,” Corewell Health East President Dr. Ben Schwartz said. “’Caring for Kids’ – and the work done every day at CEF and across our health system – connects perfectly with our Corewell Health mission of improving health, instilling humanity and inspiring hope.”
The Center for Exceptional Families works with patients from across the metro Detroit area. Children at CEF range from having mild developmental delays to severe multiple impairments with fragile health conditions. Many children at the center have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism, intellectual disabilities or genetic syndromes. Some have conditions related to other illnesses, accidents or traumatic births. Corewell Health pediatric specialists help the children work to gain independence and skills that allow them to participate in the world around them.
On Tuesday, Santa will be accompanied by about 50 firefighters and volunteers from the city of Dearborn, as he shares gifts with children.
“Some of these kids might not be comfortable going to the mall to meet Santa,” said CEF medical social worker Emily LaFramboise, who organizes “Caring for Kids” and the week’s events. “There can be so much that goes into bringing your child with disabilities into the community. We’re very flexible and sensitive to the needs of our kiddos. If it takes a while to make your way over to Santa, no one’s going to get frustrated. It’s wonderful. Santa is very aware of our kids and their needs.”
The Dearborn Fire Department fundraises all year for the annual “Toy Run,” now in its 35th year. Along with dropping off hundreds of gifts for CEF patients and their families Tuesday, the firefighters deliver gifts to other non-profits who work with children around the region. They also provide support year-round for community members in need after tragic events, like fires or accidents.
“The Toy Run takes some of our toughest firefighters and brings tears to their eyes,” Dearborn firefighter Matthew Bajjey, a chairman of the Burn Drive, said. “The Dearborn Fire Department has a great relationship with CEF – easily 20 years – and close ties with Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital, the new name for Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn. It’s our base hospital in the city and we have a really good working relationship with the emergency room personnel. Everyone is working together to support the community – and it’s a great community.”
For “Caring for Kids,” Corewell Health East team members dropped off their donations on Monday at Jack Demmer Lincoln, which donates space to store and organize the donations at their Dearborn dealership. CEF families pick up the gifts a few days later.
“Many CEF families do not have the spare money to provide the gifts they would like for their children,” CEF director Marni Hickey said. “This could be related to ongoing financial limitations or a crisis such as a house fire, flood or family separation. The support that the Corewell Health East teams and the Dearborn Fire Department provide is truly a gift this holiday season.”