June 14, 2002

MassGeneral Hospital for Children had a special visitor June 6 when Sue Horman — as she has for the past seven years — arrived with bundles of games and toys, ready to be donated to young hospitalized patients. But this time, it was the MGH's turn to give back to the woman who has dedicated her life to bringing a little happiness to MGH pediatric patients. Horman was presented with a plaque at a special ceremony to recognize her exceptional generosity and years of dedicated service to the MGH.

Horman began her tradition of giving shortly after her 18-year-old daughter, Kimberly, died of cancer at the hospital. Horman's desire to give back to the MGH community and her need to heal is what first inspired her to begin her fundraising efforts, which she came to call Angels Above. She found comfort in giving back to the institution that treated and cared for her daughter.

She began in 1995 with a yard sale that raised $600. A second sale raised $1,500. Soon, Horman transformed the yard sales into a small country shop that she ran out of her friend's garage. Because of the shop's success, Horman turned it into a large consignment store where all proceeds go directly to the MassGeneral Hospital for Children. Horman and Angels Above have donated more than 300 movie videos, a wide-screen TV and VCR, a foosball table, games, books, a digital camera, CD players and much more. "It is important to make the children's stay in the hospital better," says Horman.

In addition to her large donations to the whole pediatric unit, Horman also helps out in smaller ways by contributing to individual patients. Recently, she was able to make the stay of a young transplant patient a little more comfortable and enjoyable. She found out that the young boy enjoyed astronomy, so she decorated his room with glow-in-the-dark moon and star sheets, pillows and comforter, and provided a gift basket filled with astronomy games and activities.

For the past seven years Horman has been brightening the lives of pediatric patients and their families, making their stay at the hospital a little easier, a little more cheerful and a lot more fun.

From left, MGHer Heather Peach, and members of Angels Above: Mary Beth Brunelle; Marylou Lacount and Sue Horman, with Ellen Millea, also of the MGH