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| Contact: Christine Hill: 612-873-5719 |
08/04/09 |
Timberwolves and HCMC team up to promote literacy – with “Crunch” at the wheel!
Crunch, the Timberwolves’ mascot, has a new ride. After coming to the rescue of patients for several years, a retired Hennepin County Medical Center ambulance has now become Crunch’s new “Den,” and he’s using it to promote children’s literacy.
On Thursday, August 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Crunch will be at Hennepin County Medical Center’s Emergency Department to help raise money for Hennepin’s Children’s Literacy Program – and show off his new wheels. It’s the first stop of the Reading to the Rescue tour to promote children’s literacy. Anyone donating at least one dollar can sign the outside of Crunch’s Den, which will eventually include autographs from local celebrities, including members of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The hope is that Crunch’s Den will be covered with autographs when it is officially unveiled at the Timberwolves’ season opener on October 28.
“Reading to children is a slam-dunk,” says Hennepin’s Children’s Literacy Liaison Lynne Burke. “There are immediate benefits and long-term results when a child is introduced to a book. The Timberwolves organization understands this, and we’re very excited about our partnership with them.”
Hennepin County Medical Center’s Children’s Literacy Program connects children with books because literacy experiences are critical to a child’s healthy development. According to Burke, “sharing books and stories stimulates brain growth; the more words children hear, the faster they learn language. Language and vocabulary skills translate into school success, which ultimately leads to better health outcomes. In a nutshell, reading makes you feel good now and long-term.”
This year, staff at the hospital and its clinics will distribute more than 20,000 children’s books to pediatric patients and young visitors. “We are on track to give away our 100,000th book later this year,” says Burke. “We distribute books in more than 20 locations, from the Emergency Room and the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic to Dentistry and Social Services.” The Children’s Literacy Program is entirely supported by grants and donations.
What: Crunch’s Den visits Hennepin County Medical Center
When: Thursday, August 6, 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Where: 8th St. Emergency Department entrance at Hennepin County Medical Center
Why: To promote the Reading to the Rescue campaign in support of children’s literacy at Hennepin
Celebrating its 20th year of being Minnesota’s first Level 1 Trauma Center, Hennepin County Medical Center, the official Emergency Medical Service of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, is a comprehensive academic medical center and public teaching hospital with the largest emergency department in the state. In addition to the 469-bed acute care hospital and primary care and specialty clinics located in downtown Minneapolis, Hennepin offers four primary care clinics in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. Hennepin County Medical Center is repeatedly recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals.”
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