A recipient of the Rosa H. McDonald Nursing Scholarship, Sophia Eick plans to graduate from the University of Delaware in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. To give back to her community, Sohpia Eick volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, which supports families of pediatric patients at Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children and Project Sunshine.
As a volunteer program, Project Sunshine upholds a simple mission to bring joy and play to patients and their families because when a child’s injury or illness requires hospital care, the entire family feels the stress. When Covid-19 forced hospitals to close to outside visitors, Project Sunshine adapted its model by creating activity kits, which include developmentally appropriate activities for patients and children, as well as journals for note taking and creative expression.
The building-themed activity kit, for example, includes Lego-style building bricks, Magic Nuudles, crayons, and foam stickers, while the puppet kit allows preschool students to create their own puppets. A kit designed especially for caregivers includes markers, a journal, velvet mandalas, and an eye mask to support relaxation.
