Partners in Pediatric Care: How the Freedom District Lions Club and Child Life Program Make Healing Personal
LifeBridge Health is a community-focused health system. The care we provide is shaped by the people we serve and made stronger by the individuals and organizations who choose to give back.
That spirit of generosity is what first connected us with Lions Clubs International.
With 1.4 million members across 200 countries, the world’s largest service organization has long championed efforts to improve health, fight hunger and meet community needs. In 2017, they added childhood cancer to their list of global priorities—a decision that sparked a meaningful partnership between one of their local clubs and our Child Life Program at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai.
Together, we continue to support pediatric patients and families through connection, comfort and care.
Meet the Freedom District Lions Club
The Freedom District Lions Club is located in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area of Southern Carroll County. They are a club within District 22-W of the Lions Club International organization. The Lion's motto is "We Serve." With 88 active members, the club, via its many various service projects, supports families, schools, youth programs and other organizations in their community.
It was the tenacity of Victoria “Viki” Peltier, Chairman of the Childhood Cancer Committee, that brought their generosity all the way to the Samuelson Children’s Hospital in Baltimore. “When childhood cancer became a global priority for Lions Clubs International, I called all 14 hospitals in our district,” she recalls. “Most didn’t treat children under sixteen, but the Samuelson Children’s Hospital did.”
Viki connected with our Child Life team just before Christmas 2017. Upon hearing that the program—which helps ease hospital stays for children through play, education and emotional support—didn’t have many toys to distribute that year, she thought, “That’s not going to happen,” and got to work.
Her committee had a delivery ready in record time.
Members of the Freedom District Lions Club Childhood Cancer Committee include Ann Kramb, Bernadette Phillips, Carole Neff, Diane Torockio, Don Champ, Gary Peltier, Jane Jung-Potter, Jill Huey, Jim Lauber, Mike Shavatt, Mona Ramirez, Sue Nelson, Surani Peiris and Tony Ramirez.
A Partnership Fueled by Generosity
Since that first holiday visit, the Freedom District Lions Club has become one of the Child Life program’s most consistent and thoughtful supporters. They donate four times a year, tailoring each delivery to the evolving needs and preferences of our pediatric hematology and oncology patients.
To date, the club has donated nearly 8,000 toys valued at more than $43,000.
From stuffed animals and figurines to board games, sensory tools and beloved character Band-Aids, every item is chosen with the goal of making a child’s hospital stay just a little brighter.
Around Thanksgiving, the club focuses on larger gifts, surprising patients with items like Apple TVs or Nintendo Switches. In 2023, they truly went above and beyond with a red, child-sized, battery-operated Mercedes, complete with cones for a custom driving track.
But their impact goes beyond the children. “We know their parents are under a lot of pressure,” Viki says. “Especially if they have to visit the hospital every day or a couple times a week.”
Recognizing the weight on caregivers, the Lions Club also provides gas cards to help families with travel costs and delivers goodie bags to staff throughout the hospital.
The Impact on Patients, Families and Care Teams
Each quarterly visit reinforces this partnership’s commitment to consistency, connection and compassionate care.
“There’s really good communication between our two organizations,” says Child Life Program Manager Amy Kessler. The collaboration helps the Lions Club provide what’s needed most while families and caregivers put those gifts to use.
Donated toys and supplies serve many purposes, from offering comfort and distraction to helping explain medical procedures. To ensure every child is included, Viki assigns each Childhood Cancer Committee member an age group—infants, toddlers, school-aged children or teens—so donations are always thoughtful and developmentally appropriate.
How Child Life Makes a Difference
When children or teens are hospitalized, they often face unfamiliar environments, experiences and emotions that can be overwhelming. Our certified Child Life specialists help young patients navigate these challenges by:
- Supporting healthy development through age-appropriate experiences
- Educating children and families to reduce fear and anxiety
- Providing familiar, play-based activities that mirror life at home
- Encouraging self-expression, confidence and emotional resilience
- Offering emotional support to the entire family unit
Their work helps normalize the hospital environment and enhances care across several pediatric units at Sinai, including the emergency department, inpatient and intensive care units, diagnostic centers and more.
“I went through chemo. I went through radiation,” Viki reflects. “I know what I dealt with—and I’m an adult.” This extra support for our youngest patients makes an incredible difference.
A Heartfelt Thank You
The Child Life Program at Sinai is primarily donor funded. That means the work we do—helping kids feel less afraid, more at home and more in control—wouldn’t be possible without support from partners like the Freedom District Lions Club.
To Viki and every member of your dedicated team: thank you for your vision, your generosity and your unwavering commitment to the kids in our care. We’re looking forward to your next visit on June 27.
We also extend our gratitude to other Lions Clubs in our community, including Sandy Spring and LaVale, who support our mission in so many meaningful ways.
“Our program is sustained by people giving out of the goodness of their hearts,” Amy says.
Want to Get Involved?
You can help bring comfort and joy to pediatric patients, too. The Child Life team accepts monetary and in-kind donations year-round.