Radiothon Aids Cohen Children's Hospital

Radio personalities are helping raise funds for programs at the

Among the celebrities Wednesday who were encouraging WCBS-FM listeners to donate were Broadway Bill Lee, Bob Shannon and Joe Causi.

The two-day "Children`s Miracle Network - WCBS FM Loves Our Kids Radiothon" campaign runs through Thursday at 7 p.m. and supports the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy programs at the hospital.

“Their job is to make life as normal for kids while they’re here, for patients, siblings and parents,” Kevin Carraccio, vice president of development at Cohen said. “It makes it easier to provide care and take stress off parents.

“Kids, siblings for example, vacations are canceled, so the other kids affected. We help families maintain as normal a life as possible,” he said.

The radiothon is set up in the busy hospital lobby as other activities swirl about. On Wednesday, Troy Johnson was busy running his weekly bingo game that is shown in patients rooms. Boxes of stuffed bears and bouquets, 250 of each donated by 1-800 Flowers, were arriving and making their way to different parts of the hospital. Children, parents and hospital employees gathered to listen to the WCBS celebrities, who took calls from listeners pledging donations, and Dr. Bear, who welcomes children to the hospital, were on hand.

The programs are meant to make families feel more comfortable during stressful times, Carraccio said. "People should have the same experience, morning noon and night, they should feel they’re getting a big warm hug from the people of the hospital. From Dr. Bear who’s a fulltime volunteer, to puzzles and games to take kids' minds off" their problems, Carraccio said.

The radiothon isn't the only event on the Cohen calendar Thursday.

Students from the Gregory Hines Academy of the Arts at IS 59 will present a musical skit to raise money and awareness for the hospital.

Through its Kohl’s Cares for KidsTM program, the department store chain will present the hospital with a substantial donation to support anti-obesity programs for youngsters.  The program is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at IS 59 in Springfield Gardens.