Members of Vistas for Children Inc. presented the Jester and Pharley Phund’s 40th Smile Cart to the Children’s Clinic earlier this month.
Vistas President, Nadine Bobit, Philanthropy Co-Chairwoman Alyse Zwickel and incoming President Amy Ricci of the Manhattan Beach-based philanthropic organization joined Barbara Saltzman, executive director of the Jester and Pharley Phund, in presenting the mobile activity center to the Long Beach facility, which is dedicated to meeting the health needs of underserved children and their families.
Jester and Pharley Smile Carts are part of the nonprofit Palos Verdes-based Jester and Pharley Phund’s efforts to provide emotional support and smiles to youngsters facing difficult challenges.
In addition to copies of David Saltzman’s “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle” and Jester and Pharley Dolls, the colorful activity center contains a television, VCR and CD-tape-radio unit donated by Sony Medical Systems as part of its For the Kids program.
“We are so pleased to provide this Smile Cart for the many families helped by the Children’s Clinic, Serving Children and Their Families,” Bobit said. “The Children’s Clinic provides vital medical services for families in the Long Beach area and we believe that ‘The Jester’s’ positive messages reminding children to never give up and always believe in themselves will help these youngsters on a daily basis.”
Happy faces greeted Vistas members as they handed copies of “The Jester” and Jester and Pharley dolls to children attending the dedication after Saltzman, also known as the Jester’s Mom, read the story to youngsters.
“We are thrilled to have the resources of this multi-purpose Smile Cart to help us further the health and bring joy into the lives of the children we care for,” said Children’s Clinic Chief Executive Officer Dr. Elisa Nicholas, observing the Smile Cart being put to immediate use in the waiting room. “In addition to copies of ‘The Jester Has Lost His Jingle’ and Jester and Pharley dolls that we will be able to give our children, the educational materials that come with the cart will be of immense value to us in motivating our children. The hopeful message of ‘The Jester’ touches everyone’s heart.”
This Vistas Smile Cart is the 40th donated to hospitals and special-needs facilities throughout Southern California and the United States. Vistas also has donated a Smile Cart to the Bethune Transitional Center for homeless children in Long Beach.
“Facilities like the Children’s Clinic of Long Beach find that ‘The Jester’ helps clinicians bring joy back into the lives of the children they assist,” Saltzman said. “We know that ‘The Jester’ and his pal Pharley will be motivating and comforting as they bring laughter to these youngsters.”
The Smile Cart is inspired by the New York Times best-selling children’s book “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle,” written by Chadwick School graduate David Saltzman, who died of cancer in 1990 shortly after graduating from Yale. The Jester and Pharley Phund is currently celebrating the release of the 10th Anniversary Special Edition of “The Jester.”
“’The Jester Has Lost His Jingle’ provides a warm, inviting way to remind children that no matter what health challenges they may face, laughter always resides inside,” Bobit said.
The Children’s Clinic is located at 455 East Columbia Street, Suite 201, which is adjacent to the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room.
For information about the Jester and Pharley Phund, visit www.thejester.org or call (800) 9-JESTER.
