New Tablets Promise Hours of Fun for Pediatric Patients

By: Herbert Atienza

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Herbert Atienza

Photo Description:

Some of the patients at LLU Children’s Hospital got to try out the new iPad tablets, loaded with animated, educational programming, on Monday (Aug. 18). In the photo from top left, clockwise: Lisa Erhart, Acosta; Rebecca Arnett, Colgate-Palmolive; Lindsey Holderness, Stater Bros. Markets; Danielle Oehlman, Stater Bros. Charities; Nancy Negrette, Stater Bros. Charities; Bryan Lopez, 9; and Anderewson Tapia, 7.
Children who are bedridden or otherwise unable to leave their room at LLU Children’s Hospital will now receive to-their-room entertainment that they did not have before. Starlight Children’s Foundation, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive and Stater Bros. Charities, presented four iPad tablets to the hospital on Monday, Aug. 18. The tablets, loaded with a number of digitally animated educational programming, are expected to give pediatric patients company and keep them distracted while going through sometimes difficult procedures and treatments. “One of Stater Bros. Charities’ interests is improving children’s well-being and health, and we would like to help in any way we can to support the ongoing needs of the kids,” said Nancy Negrette, executive director of Stater Bros. Charities. “Some of the children are not even able to leave their rooms because they are receiving treatment, so the tablets, hopefully, will provide them with something to keep them interested and occupied.” Rebecca Arnett, Colgate-Palmolive sales agency manager, said her company has long been supportive of providing resources to LLU Children’s Hospital, including previously partnering with Starlight Children’s Foundation to provide “fun centers,” or mobile entertainment and video game centers, to the hospital. “It’s very exciting to be here to deliver these resources for the children,” she said. “Just to see them smile when they see these resources also makes you smile.”