East Meadow Kiwanis Honored for NUMC Donation

The East Meadow Kiwanis was honored on September 9 at the Nassau University Medical Center for its donation that led to a new youth room being built on the 18th floor.

The donation, which fell just short of $6,000, was used for construction and the acquisitions of different toys and games. The money was also used to acquire special couches that are hospital grade. The project took three years to complete.

The area is broken up into two sections. When children first enter, there is a general play room, and that contains the toys and board games that are for children of all ages. Through that room, children over the age of 14 can enjoy the benefits of Playstation 2 and Wii consoles.

The project was the "President's Project" of Dr. Steven Perrick, who used to be the president of East Meadow Kiwanis in 2007.

"We want to make the hospital stay a much more pleasurable experience," Perrick said. "The kids can have some fun and enjoy themselves while they're here."

The area was formerly used as a playhouse for children, and that was donated by Home Depot in 1972.

"It has done it's time," Nassau University Medical Center Kiwanis President Linda Walsh said. "The carpenter initially thought he could save it and bring it home to his kids, but as soon as he started unscrewing, it fell apart."

Current East Meadow Kiwanis President Jim Mancuso was impressed with the new facility.

"It's great to see," Mancuso said. "These president's projects are a lot of fun, and this is a big part of the payoff."

Another feature of the 14-and-over room is the bedside-accessible X Box 360's. The systems are set up on wheels so children who do not have the ability to commute to the new area can enjoy the fun as well.

"Not every kid can get out of bed," Wash said. "With all of the machines that some children are hooked up to, they can't come here. So these go to their bedside. We want everyone to enjoy the fun."