Thonotosassa church raises money year-round to purchase colorful bears for  hospitalized patients at Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute

TAMPA (December 7, 2011) – More than three dozen members of Thonotosassa-based Fellowship Baptist Church are scheduled to make their annual December caroling visit to Florida Hospital Tampa, at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, December 8.

For the fourth consecutive year, retired Florida Hospital Tampa registered nurse Joyce Pollicina leads her church choir group in song so that hundreds of patients, visitors and employees can enjoy the holiday spirit. The sharp-dressed holiday choir features a mobile keyboard player and costumed characters Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s Rudolph.

Popular holiday songs can be heard through the Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute hallways as church members stroll and hand beautifully decorated holiday teddy bears to each hospitalized patient.

“The church raises thousands of dollars throughout the year so we can give every patient a teddy bear,” says Joyce Pollicina, whose husband Dr. Fred Pollicina is a former chief of staff at the hospital. “Our choir members really enjoy this event as we’re able to bring a slice of holiday spirit to patients and their families, as well as all the hard working physicians and nurses. Some patients won’t be going home for the holidays so it’s important to lift their spirits during this difficult period for them.”

Fellowship Baptist Church purchased more than 360 teddy bears for the event on Thursday at Florida Hospital Tampa. The choir group also spreads its holiday cheer to nursing homes in the North Tampa area during December.

WHO: Fellowship Baptist Church choir
WHAT: Annual holiday caroling and teddy bear distribution event for patients
WHEN: Starts at 2:15 p.m. with holiday songs in front of the lobby Christmas tree
WHERE: Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute

Media: Meet in the main lobby of Florida Hospital Tampa, 3100 E. Fletcher Avenue.