Children are Big Dunk a Doc Winners in Side-Splitting Event
Kelly Timmer, FNP-BC, WHNP-BC at Dunk A Doc
Just ahead of a big splash, Dr. Kelsey Dressen was on the edge of her seat.
“If you love me, you won’t do this,” Dr. Dressen told her nurse April Lambers, who laughed and remained undeterred at the inaugural Dunk a Doc.
Dr. Dressen was among 18 providers who took part in the inaugural fundraiser for Benefis Foundation’s Reach Out And Read (ROAR) program.
Doctors came as storybook characters, crustaceans, mermaids, rockers, superheroes, livestock, and more.
They all were soaked by the end of their shift.
Thanks to the providers and all who paid for pitches at the dunk tank or bought treats at the food trucks, the Foundation raised more than $7,000 for the ROAR program, through which pediatric providers give children six and under books at well child check ups. More than 4,700 children have taken home books through ROAR in the last two years.
Foundation intern Keira Richards, a senior at CMR, developed the Dunk a Doc fundraiser as her summer project. She said she remembers from frequent doctor visits as a child how scary it can be to see a doctor; doctors told her the books help distract children during their appointments and are great for brain development.
“I don't want kids to be scared about going to see doctors,” Keira said. “Doctors are here to help you."
"For the children!!!" was a frequent refrain in and around the dunk tank. Many of those children who dunked docs had received ROAR books at their checks. The youngest child to participate was just weeks old.
Dr. Michael Sheffield came as Christopher Robin with Pooh bear in honor of the stories he read to his children when they were young.
"It's something that's near and dear to my heart," he said.
Is There a ROAR in Your Heart?
