National Volunteer Week: Volunteer Preemie Cuddlers

Excerpt from blog originally on Why Platinum?

Farmers Insurance, and the Platinum Elite Group, have been long time supporters of the March of Dimes, a leading charity in the fight against the effects of premature birth.

Every year the Platinum Elite holds fundraisers in an effort to raise money to contribute towards this battle.  See our article about our upcoming Platinum Elite Golf Tournament on July 22nd, 2011, at Riverwalk Golf Club.

Luis Carbajal of the Platinum Elite is helping organize a joint fundraiser for the Ramona Pony Baseball League and March of Dimes set for June 4th, 2011.  See his blog article.

Last year the Platinum Elite even visited a local San Diego Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to gain a better perspective on what families face when the have a premature newborn child, and why the money raised is so needed, and how much good it can do.  The heart-tugging visit was arranged by Donald Swanson, Farmers district Manager and Platinum Elite Founder.

In honor of National Volunteer Week (4/10 to 4/16/11 as proclaimed by President Obama), we'd like to re-run some great stories of those who volunteer very valuable time to these same local children's hospitals.  These 'preemies' are often in the hospital for the first several months of their lives.  The families would hold them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if they could, but obviously that's not possible.  They have jobs and other children they have to care for too.  The nurse have other obligations as well.  This is where "volunteer cuddlers" come in.

Click here to view an NBC report title, "Volunteer Cuddlers", about volunteers at the Rady Children's Hospital.

For a second NBC report titled, "Oh, Baby", click here.  It features volunteers at the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest and it's "Cuddler" program.

Preemie newborns grow stronger, faster as the amount of human contact and warmth increases helping them go home to their families sooner.

These volunteers clearly get a lot of satisfaction out of helping these young patients.

Many members of the Platinum Elite were either born premature themselves, or had children of their own prematurely.  They're all committed to doing what they can to join the fight.

The Platinum Elite Team & Proud Supporters of the March of Dimes:
John Campbell - La Mesa (619) 667-1233

Lorena De La Huerta - Hemet (951) 766-8000

Mike & Marla Clinkenbeard - Santee (619) 442-0415

Joaquin Lopez - Oceanside (760) 433-4214

Deana Callu - Mission Valley (619) 296-3276

Ricardo "Rick" Felix - Mission Valley (619) 296-3276

Esteban Carbajal - San Ysidro (619) 800-5777

Susanne & Ernie Romo - Chula Vista & Kearny Mesa (858) 751-0956

Luis Carbajal - Ramona (760) 787-1100

Kris Avram - La Mesa (619) 465-5298

Terry Snow - Poway (619) 463-6767

Amber Ramirez - Ramona (760) 789-0010

Jerry Cunningham - El Cajon (619) 938-3123

Jasmine Guerrero - Downtown San Diego (619) 501-6400

Brent McKiernan - Old Town San Diego (619) 501-6425

Vina Gan - San Marcos (760) 500-0267

Sandy Jensen - Santee (619) 442-0415

Araceli De La Torre - Kearny Mesa (858) 751-0956

Tony Gutierrez - La Jolla (858) 751-0956
Kevin Tuckey - Mission Valley (858) 751-1357

The Platinum Elite Headquarters can be found in the

Farmers Insurance Building at:

1011 Camino del Rio South,
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92108

Platinum Elite Headquarters can be reached at:

(619) 296-FARMERS, or (619) 296-3276.

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* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.