Ride to St. Mary's Hospital for Children

Some of the books that our members donated.

Tina (left front), Manna (right front)

~ST. MARY'S RUN, by Tina~

When I heard about the St. Mary's run, I knew I couldn't miss it. I believe that children are our future and that we should all help to provide for them in any way possible. A caring hand and a generous act can instill more than you could ever imagine in a child. If I could have, I would have bought each and every child the book of their choice. But because I don't have saddlebags on my bike and had to rely on Angie generously saving space in her saddlebags for the books I was going to bring, I had to keep it to a minimum. Originally I had no idea what kind of book to buy. All I knew was that I was buying one because that's what Joyce's email said: Bring a book. (At times, I can be a very literal person). Then I remembered something. Three months ago, someone gave me a $25 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble for my birthday. After 4 years of college and 3 years of law school, I've grown a very deep aversion to reading. So, I ended up spending the gift certificate on 6 books for the kids at St. Mary's. I am very glad that I did. Not only did me and my bikes very presence seem to make the kids happy; they really loved those books. I couldn't believe that some of them actually got possessive with the books and didn't want the other kids taking them. It was very cute. All the kids were so cute. Although some of them didn't seem too ill, I'm sure there is a very good reason why they were there. I just hope that the hour we spent letting them sit on our bikes, taking pictures of them, giving them books and just hanging out and talking to them, brightened up their day. I'm sure their families will be very appreciative when they see the smiles on their kids' faces in the Polaroid's that were taken of them. Our generosity turned a beautiful day into an even brighter and more beautiful day. Today is one of the reasons why I'm proud to be a Woman in the Wind.

The lucky women who met the children,(L-R:) Connie, Tina, Julie, Angie, Camille, Manna, Gail, Sandee (aka Tweety), Nancy, Becky, Joyce, Diane.

~ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL IN BAYSIDE, by Gail~

What a Day! This was, indeed, a wonderful day in my life. We arrived at St. Mary's hospital and were waiting for the children to come out of the hospital, to the playground and parking area. We had our bikes parked and lined up. I was getting excited with the anticipation of seeing the children. Here they come. Some were in their wheel chairs, walked by aides from the hospital. Some were walking on their own. A little boy was walking with one crutch, like Tiny Tim in "A Christmas Carol". Another boy, with a metal bar on the outside of his leg and screwed into his shin, seemed like he had more energy than all of us, put together. These children, coming down the walkway, in single file, were like Tin Soldiers.

Then she arrived, this lovely girl of about 10 years old. She was in a wheelchair, and had the largest smile on her face. Her eyes were a bright green, and her hair was in a crooked ponytail at the top left side of her head. She had an Oreo cookie in her right hand, and Oreo cookie crumbs on her bottom lip. She could not speak well, nor could she leave the chair, but her excitement said it all. I saw her and fell in love. She was so excited. I ran up to her and said, "Hello, my name is Gail, what's yours?" "Dee"(pseudonym), she said, and I recalled Paul Anka, singing the song, "Diana". She repeated every word I said, like an echo from the highest mountain. She was my parrot for the day, reminding me of my 3-year-old great niece. She was smiling and laughing and said she was so happy to see us. She let me hug her and I planted a kiss on her cheek.

One boy, who did not speak, gave me a big smile, his dad was there too. His dad thanked us for being there and I know it touched his heart to see his son happy. There was an older boy, sitting in his wheel chair, away from the confusion, possibly thinking he would not be noticed. Maybe he put himself away from us, thinking to himself, "If no one talks to me, it will because they didn't see me". I asked him if he had his picture taken, and he said no. I told him I would not hear of that, and "Dee" took his picture by my bike. There was a little boy, blonde, with the beginnings of the longer sideburns, as his religion requires, who has been in the hospital since he was born. He is now 4, and is unable to speak. But he certainly was able to communicate with his verbal sounds, and hand gestures. He most definitely caught Julie's heart. There was another boy, around 14, who also could not speak, and was also in a wheel chair. So many children! So many who are sick, and possibly terminal. So many with brain operations, paralyzed limbs, inability to speak, or walk. "Then why are they still smiling?" I thought. I watched my friends, my sisters in WITW. They were ministering to these children, giving the children a part of themselves. Reading to them, talking, playing, and hugging. Being with my peers, there at that moment, made my heart fill with the love that each showed to these children.

This visit has taught me again, another important message. With all of the disabilities that each child has, they proved to be happy, loving children; incredible teachers. They, with their broken bodies, showed me the beauty from within. "Don't just look at our outsides", they seemed to be saying, "Talk to us, say hello, and we'll show you the sun when we smile. Look in our eyes, and you will see, hear and understand the feelings that are behind them. Don't look away when you see us, don't drop your eyes; because then it will be you who are disabled, not I. Give us your gift of kindness, generosity of time, and you will see how love can heal, even for a moment".

Thank you my caring sisters, who were there today, who shared this special time. I am so glad to know you all, and can honestly say I love you all. This is what I hoped belonging to WITW would be like. And it is, and even more...

September 18th 1999: A beautiful late-summer day. Bright blue sky's after two days of rain and wind. Nothing could have pleased me more than to get on my bike and go for a nice long ride. That is exactly what I planned on doing. The WITW Long Island chapter Book Run to St. Mary's Children's Hospital was a go. We met up off the L.I.E as usual. Joyce, Gail, Nancy, Julie, Manna, Angie, Tina and myself. We all gassed-up and we were on our way.... Joyce in the lead. The ride itself was pleasurable. We all kept pace in spite of the congestion on the road. First stop was the Seville Diner in Douglaston. We pulled in and met up with Diane and Connie, went inside for a quick bite to eat...then back on the road for a short trip to the hospital. Sandee and her daughter Becky were waiting at the hospital when we got there. Kathy, the activity coordinator of the hospital, met us. The children were then walked out...some in wheelchairs, some on their own. I can't even begin to tell you how their faces lit up when they saw all the bikes lined up in the parking lot. The children who were able to sit on the bikes climbed on up and had their pictures taken. Those who couldn't wheeled over to the bikes and had photos taken next to them. I think the plan was to give children a photo of themselves on a bike. But as it turned out, I think each child had at least 3 or 4. Sandy's bright yellow Honda was a big hit with the kids. As was Manna's purple shadow. After all the pictures were taken, we went over to the picnic tables and sat with the children while they picked their favorites out of the books we had brought. There were so many books! The girls really came through on this project! Again, words couldn't even begin to explain the faces on these children. They were having so much fun. These children have already been through so much in their young lives, I was glad to have a part in making them smile for a little while. When we were ready to go, Kathy thanked us, and invited us to visit again. You can bet that my name will be at the top of the list for the next visit. The children got photos, and books and a fun afternoon.... what I got out of this run will last me a lifetime.

Imagine doing a good deed and being asked back to do it again. That's what called us to St. Mary's Hospital for Children. Last year, at Easter, two of our Long Island Women in the Wind members help deliver "Easter Baskets", donated by St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Bayshore, to St. Mary's. When they got to the Hospital, these women mentioned they rode motorcycles. The director of Development asked them if they could return again, next time with their motorcycles. Well, Christmas came, this time to again deliver whole truckload of presents, donated by St. Peter's. This time, the Long Island Chapter had presents to add to the truckload; it took two women about 1/2 hour to pact the truck, there was no extra space, even for a stuffed animal. The tailgate of the truck was literally closed to keep the presents in the truck. Again, presents were dropped off at the Hospital. Both times, not a patient was seen.

Finally, arrangements were made to go to visit the children. Come rain or shine, our members were determined to meet the patients. Whether we rode in with our bikes or cars in didn't matter, we would still wear our helmets, leathers, and at least try to look like motorcyclists! Two days previous to this, Hurricane Floyd hit Long Island, but on Sept 18 the sun was shining, the air was clear, and the weather was perfect. It was not hot, it was not cold, it was just right.

Since were told that the children could use new books to read, each member who came along got "into finding the right books for their children". You had to see the amount of books that came out of the saddlebags; it could be compared to the Guinness's Book of World Records "phone booth-squeeze". Even members, who were unable to attend, donated books.

No one knew how many children would be able to come outside. Slowly the procession of about six wheelchairs began, followed by a child with a cane, some on their own merit, others quietly holding hands with the aides. Some children were very vocal when they saw the bikes, others had to be encouraged to have their photos taken, (maybe their boyfriend or girlfriend would like a picture of them with a bike, after all, how cool is that)? Without counting, there may have been 18-20 children who came outside. We had 40 Polaroid photos to take; we saved just one to show the table of books. After giving some books out, it was decided the children could go up to a table and pick what they wanted.

Amazingly, the children who could speak and do the least for themselves, acquired the most books. One particular little six-year old girl kept pointing her finger, saying, "I want", prompting us all to figure out what she wanted. Apparently a charmer, she gave her "full smile", each time we figured out what she wanted. If it wasn't a different colored laminated bookmark that said, "Reading is for Winners, Love from your friends in the Long Island, Women in the Wind Chapter"; it was a box of crayons, another book, just anything she could win with her smile. Each of our women interacted with the children, finding just the one they were meant to meet, enjoying each one for their unique and special personality. Not one child was left unseen or without of a picture of themselves by or on a motorcycle, a bookmark, books and most of all, a special place in our hearts for them. One thirteen-year old boy asked when we are coming back. When we said "Maybe Christmas", he said "But I am only going to be here one more month!"

Karen Lough, of the Foundation Developmental Office, told us that our books would be the first of many books being collected for a patient library. Karen would love for us to come back, for a "tour of the facility, to meet the patients who cannot go outside, and interact with them, also. People are needed to be taped reading books. Karen thanked us for coming, saying she enjoyed watching it all, how rewarding her job is. We thanked her for giving us the opportunity to be there. Imagine being child, in a hospital; sick, bored, lonely, and scared. Imagine doing a good deed and being asked back to do it again…

Diane (left) and Angie(right),having some good old fun, while waiting for the children.

~Of Angels and WITW............by Angie~

After visiting with the children at St. Mary's Hospital, I went home and thanked GOD for my healthy children, nieces and nephews.......I once read: "On the street I saw a little girl cold and shivering in a thin dress, with little hope of a decent meal. I became angry and said to God, "Why did You permit this? Why don't You do something about it?" God replied, "I certainly did do something about it ....I MADE YOU!!!!

What a joy it was for me to visit with these children. To put a smile on their faces, To bring a little happiness, even if for a short while, into their hearts. I realized later as the wind was in my face going home, It was I who received joy from them.

The children I saw today are all the "ANGELS" that bring joy and love into our hearts. Their smiles and happiness taking pictures on the bikes with the helmet on and receiving books, shot arrows of blessings straight into my heart.

I also read once:

A single happy smile can brighten up someone else's day, a kind and gentle word can often make a great difference by helping someone find some beauty in his life, and a little bit of thoughtfulness or a tiny act of kindness can create a ray of sunshine for someone else. Like the small child who shows you the wonder in simple things.

I know that my spirit was lifted, love was in my heart, peace was in my soul and I enjoyed my journey with lots of love and light!

Thank you Lord for letting me help in a world searching for Love.

What a great feeling my first WITW ride evoked. The pride of riding with

you ladies was awesome. What a wonderful experience it was to spend even

so little time with the children at ST. Mary's. I've taken care of many

of them in the ER at Flushing Hospital but this was so different. Outside in

the wonderful warmth and sunshine they weren't patients thay were just

kids. Special kids. Hope I can share more rides and special times.

Thanks. It was great.

Sandee, with her co-pilot & daughter, Becky.

~Sandee says:~

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the experience, Saturday, of giving and receiving so

much joy! It was a mixed pleasure; Becky was a bit put off by it at

first, but then she got into the swing of things and actually enjoyed

talking with some of the children, and helping them onto my bike.

We both felt humbled by the time spent with these children, but the

looks on their faces, and in their eyes, told us all we needed to

know: we were definitely a welcome sight! Please don't forget to

invite us again! Have a great day!

Love,

Tweety

Julie's bike was a father/son treat, at the diner parking lot, on the way to St. Mary's

~Julie Joins In~

 RIDE OF A LIFETIME

"A child's kiss set on thy singing lips shall make thee glad:

A poor child served by thee shall make thee rich;

A sick child helped by thee shall make thee strong;

Thou shalt be served thyself by every sense of service which thou renderest."

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning~

Here is the link to St. Mary's:

(ST. MARY'S FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN)

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