Boy Scout Service

Andy Montean has been Scouting for 7 years and he's working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. For each rank in Boy Scouts, the boys are required to learn more about Community Service, usually by giving their time and talents. Through their efforts they gain knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Andy decided he wanted to do something for kids so he made some pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer. Until now, all of his service hours have been helping senior citizens with lawn care. Andy's favorite part of Scouting is the camping trips, including camping in the blizzard of 2010. We wish Andy the best on his endeavor to become an Eagle Scout!

University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital

• Thanks to your dedication, we delivered 130 pillowcases to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital this week!

After the drop off, Bennett, my daughter Chrissy, and I took a tour of the new hospital. The new hospital is beautiful. There will be the same number of beds, 96; however, the rooms are much larger. Here are a few items of interest that stand out in my mind from the tour:

• there is a ton of natural light in the hallways and rooms to capture the healing power of the sun


• all of the rooms are very large and private


• all of the rooms are set up with the same design: medical care on the right, patient in the middle, family on the left


• patients will start transitioning to the new hospital at the end of April


• the hospital has approximately 700 volunteers in rotation at any one time


• each patient will receive a welcome package upon moving to the new hospital. Each welcome package will contain a special ConKerr Cancer pillowcase!!


• In February 2009, Caroline Amplatz, J.D. gave a $50 million gift to the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital building project to honor her father, former University of Minnesota professor and medical device pioneer Kurt Amplatz, M.D. To recognize the gift and the person in whose honor it was given, the hospital is now called University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital. Recently Caroline Amplatz donated 11 million for additional updates.