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Pictured here (front row from left): KatieAnn Englund and brother Thomas Englund, Hudson donated a bag filled with Katie’s birthday gifts: computer games, cards, and children’s toys donated to Hudson Hospital. Accepting the gifts for hospital patients are nursing staff: (back row from left) Linda Wlodyga, RN, Brittany Beckman, PCT, Holly Geisness, RN and Kris Winberg, RN.

With a big smile and warm heart on August 20, KatieAnn Englund, a Houlton elementary fifth-grader arrived at Hudson Hospital bearing gifts. “Children need toys who are patients at the hospital,” says Katie.  Accompanied by her mom, Cherri and brother, Thomas, Katie graciously donated all of her recent birthday gifts to the inpatients of Hudson Hospital & Clinic. The idea was sparked when her younger brother Thomas was a recent asthma inpatient and the nurses offered a cart full of games, books and toys to pass the time during his stay.  For the past four years, Katie has donated her birthday gifts through Houlton Elementary School’s Grant’s Toy Chest where students can bring in their gifts and donate to children staying at Children’s Hospital & Clinics of Minnesota. This year, Katie chose Hudson Hospital patients to receive her birthday gifts.  “We were thrilled to receive these gifts from Katie, what a warm and caring gesture for our patients,” said Linda Wlodya, RN, Hudson Hospital Inpatient manager.