Fall Air Brings Wishes to Bloom at Flushing Hospital

The planting of 400 daffodil bulbs on November 2 marked the start of new beginnings for Flushing Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The hospital was one of 12 locations selected by Make-A-Wish to participate in the foundation’s Wishes in Bloom program. The program, funded by the Ronald McDonald House of Charities, is an outreach campaign aimed to raise community awareness about Make-A-Wish and reach eligible children with grantable wishes.

“We look forward to building a positive relationship with Make-A-Wish,” said Maria Smilios, Assistant Director of Nursing for Maternal Child Services, “We have already referred one child to their program and hope to send more in the near future.”

The 400 daffodil bulbs were planted by six Flushing Hospital volunteers in the front and along the side of the hospital and they signify the number of wishes granted last year by Make-A-Wish.

The daffodils are expected to bloom by Spring.

“It’s going to look great,” said Nancy DiTaranto, Director of Volunteer Services. “I can’t wait to see it.”

Present at the “heart-warming and joyful” planting was Ms. Smilios, Dr. Susan Rapaport, Chairperson, Department of Pediatrics, along with Milvi Velnik, Manager of Community Outreach and Development at Make-A-Wish, Jay Patrick, Director, Marketing and Communications, and Margaret Berger, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities for the New York Tri-State Area.