June 15, 2007

The Fenway experience comes to MGHfC

Ice cream, autographs and smiles filled the MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) Ellison 18 playroom when Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon and team mascot Wally the Green Monster visited the hospital May 31 to kickoff the 2007 Hood Home Team Advantage Program, which benefits New England children's hospitals. Each time the Red Sox win at Fenway Park, HP Hood donates $1,500 to the Home Team Advantage fund. Last year, the program raised more than $84,000, which was divided among 13 hospitals, including the MGHfC.

The event opened with a check presentation of more than $6,500 from HP Hood Vice President and Controller Jim Marcinelli. Ronald Kleinman, MD, interim chief of MGHfC, and Joseph Vacanti, MD, chief of Pediatric Surgery, accepted the check from the 2006 season. Hood has donated more than $45,000 to MGHfC through the Home Team Advantage program since 2001.

"The kids were tickled to be hanging out and talking to a Red Sox player — not to mention Wally the Green Monster," says Kleinman. "We are very grateful to HP Hood for their generous support."




From left, Marcinelli, Kleinman, Vacanti, Papelbon and Wally