| Bumper "T" Caring Clowns |
 Gold Member since 2003
- "Hospital Clowns: The Newest Member of the Wellness Team"
A presentation of the FIVE KEY ROLES that a caring clown plays in relating to all the members of the hospital population, giving their Rx for enhancing the hospital environment — one hug at a time.
|
Bumper "T" Caring Clowns, Inc. is a volunteer organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of hospitalized patients and families, friends and caregivers. Humor is a powerful and effective tool in promoting the healing process. These clowns are trained men and women who work as volunteers to relieve some of the anxiety that patients and families experience during a hospital stay.
Our Caring Clown associates represent a range of ages and professions. Upon graduation, our Caring Clowns make a regularly scheduled commitment to the hospital in which they volunteer. As we begin 2003, 29 members serve seven hospitals in the greater Philadelphia area and southern New Jersey. Our Caring Clowns complete a comprehensive training course that focuses on using humor, sensitivity and listening skills to lift the spirits of hospital patients, their families and the caregiving staff.
George Edwards, the founder of Bumper "T" Clowns, has been a volunteer clown for the over 25 years. His caring clown career began during a visit to his father in the cardiac care unit. The staff immediately recognized the value of his smiling, hugs, and humor; and invited him to visit other patients throughout the hospital. By day's end, Bumper "T" had found his calling.
Bumper's vision was to develop a national organization dedicated to establishing a high standard of appropriate behavior for hospital caring clowns and to create guidelines and a training program for hospital caring clowns. In February 2002 , the Bumper "T" Clowns were incorporated as a 501C3, not-for-profit organization and the first training program was started at Lankenau Hospital. In April 2002, twenty four caring clowns graduated and began their volunteer work at local hospitals including: Lankenau, Bryn Mawr, Paoli Memorial, Pottstown, Riddle, Cooper Medical System, and Virtua Memorial Hospital.
Funnyboneologist George Edwards, Hug Therapist Aviva Gorstein, and Smileologist Esther Gushner are the founders of Bumper "T" Caring Clowns, Inc. They train hospital clowns that provide services to many hospitals in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area.
Aviva Gorstein |
George Edwards |
Esther Gushner
|
Together, the five current members/instructors have nearly 50 years of experience in hospital caring clown work. Call or write to learn more about the Bumper "T" Caring Clowns, to become an associate, or to give a donation.
|
|
