NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Over 600 motorcycles arrived at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Sunday afternoon to bring holiday greetings and toys to the hospital’s pediatric patients and community children.
The Toy Run celebrated its 20th anniversary yesterday with hundreds of riders, volunteers, and holiday helpers. Over 600 members of the Liberty H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter of Rahway helped to deliver hundreds of toys that were distributed to patients and donated to the hospital’s play room. Patients and families were also invited to join Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in a photo booth.
“This year’s Toy Run is a historic milestone for the Annual Liberty Harley Owners Group as the 20th consecutive year that these dedicated volunteers brought smiles to the faces of children and families at BMSCH,” said John Gantner, President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. “It is a privilege to witness such an overwhelming outpouring of generosity and support for our children, and I look forward to continuing this wonderful event with our dedicated friends from Liberty H.O.G. for many years to come.”
This year the Liberty H.O.G. riders were joined by members of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club who have pledged to donate an additional $1,000 worth of toys to BMSCH.
“Here at BMSCH we admit thousands of children for treatment each year and are always in need of entertainment, toys and programs to reduce their anxiety and make their hospital stay a pleasant one,” said Barbara Romito, Director, Child Life at BMSCH. “The generous donations from the Liberty H.O.G. members and the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Club will allow us to maintain a warm, family-centered environment for our children and families far beyond the holiday season.”The annual event began as a small group of Liberty H.O.G. riders delivering holiday gifts to the son of a chapter member who had been diagnosed with a tumor. Since then, the number of riders and donated toys has grown exponentially, touching the lives of hundreds of patients and becoming a fun kick-off to the holiday season at BMSCH.
About The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is the focal point of New Brunswick’s growing children’s health campus, which includes Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Child Health Institute of New Jersey, PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and the Embrace Kids Foundation.
The 105-bed, free-standing, state-designated, acute care children's hospital is a state-of-the-art facility that is specially designed to care for children. From pediatric surgery, urology and cardiology to oncology, hematology, pulmonology, and pediatric trauma/emergency care, BMSCH’s specialists and intensivists provide advanced care for children of all ages – from fragile newborns to adolescents. BMSCH is also home to New Jersey’s first designated pediatric trauma center and an internationally recognized adolescent bariatric surgery center of excellence.
BMSCH has been named among one of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals by U.S.News & World Report five times.