Big, blue bear

It's not an everyday sight to witness a big blue bear wandering the halls of Medical Center Hospital. But he was there Wednesday.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas collaborated with Children's Miracle Network to provide the hospital pediatrics unit toys ranging from miniature blue bears to game boards - and the 200-or-so toys were handed out by the insurance giant's big Blue Bear mascot.

This is the second year Blue Cross Blue Shield has partnered with Children's Miracle Network to donate toys to "help kids cope with their illnesses."

"We wanted to help the hospitals and the kids and bring smiles to the kids," said Debbie Cox, Blue Bear program manager of special programs. "It was really the employees' idea."

The toys and other donations the hospital receives from organizations like Children's Miracle Network and Blue Cross Blue Shield are a help to the hospital's patient care, Children's Miracle Network director Rachel Shintani Dobbs said.

"We are a county hospital," Dobbs said. "Funds raised by Children's Miracle Network can provide equipment that a normal county hospital can't provide."

Beyond that, Christin Abbott, director of pediatrics, said it helps the young ones cope.

"It's something tangible," she said.

In addition to presenting the toys, Blue Bear also spent the afternoon visiting a few children and cheering them up with a mini blue bear and a CMN sticker.

Brian Glover said his 9-year-old son, Dustin, came to the hospital after he started feeling weak and had low energy.

"Right now's a hard time," Brian Glover said.

But the visit from the bear made Dustin feel a little less blue about being sick.

"I think it made him feel a lot better," Brian Glover said.