Thanks to a group of self-proclaimed ugly men, children visiting Tampa General's Pediatric Clinic Healthpark have a new place to play.
The
13 Ugly Men Foundation, a nonprofit charity "party" group comprised of doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs, donated $18,000 from the proceeds of its last Halloween party to the
Tampa General Hospital Foundation to fund a playground for children visiting the hospital for medical care.
The new fenced-in playground is between the hospital's Pediatric Clinic and Genesis buildings at 5802 N. 30th Street. The area, which is set under a group of big trees, includes benches and a brightly colored piece of playground equipment with slides. A loudspeaker will be installed soon to page families when it's time for their appointment.
Robin DeLaVergne, executive director of the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, says the playground meets a need created by recent expansion at the clinic.
"We had expanded the clinical space," explains DeLaVergne, "And the only way we could do that was to take the children's waiting room away. So we built the playground for the kids. Now visiting children and their families can go outside and play while they wait for their appointments."
About 900 children are treated at the Pediatric Clinic each month.
The 13 Ugly Men Foundation hosts special events and parties in the Tampa Bay region. Proceeds go toward a variety of organizations that benefit the community.
Writer:
Missy Kavanaugh
Source: Robin DeLaVergne, Tampa General Hospital Foundation
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