July 30, 2024
As part of their Hootie’s Lending Library initiative, employees from the Beach Place, Doral and Pembroke Pines Hooters locations visited their local hospitals this July. Every month, representatives from Hooters of South Florida visit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital and Holtz Children’s Hospital and deliver hundreds of children’s books plus meals consisting of boneless wings, salads and desserts. During this month’s visit they also gave the children summer themed items and crafts.
Fort Lauderdale Beach Place Hooters employees Chyna Veitch and Letticia Batista had the opportunity to visit patients at Broward Health Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital. Pembroke Pines Hooters employees who visited Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital include Arin Cohen- Velazquez, Camily Martinez, Laura Gonzalez and Nicole Vicich. Doral Hooters employees who visited Holtz Children’s Hospital include Gigi Munoz, Laurie Leon and Keidy Vega.
“The children at Salah Foundation Children's Hospital always put a smile on my face. They look forward to us bringing them toys, books, art supplies and Hooters meals. Seeing the children happy is all that matters to me,” said Chyna Veitch who works at Beach Place Hooters on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
“It’s always a pleasure going to the children’s hospital. It’s really a blessing to be a part of a company that gives us such opportunities. We bring little toys, books and our delicious food, but what we leave with is invaluable. These kids are so appreciative and kind. The children and their families have this unbreakable spirit you sort of just want to be around,” said Letticia Batista who works at Beach Place Hooters on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
“Helping at the children's hospital, even for just a short time, was incredibly rewarding. Reading stories and coloring with the kids brought joy to their faces and reminds me of the power of simple acts of kindness,” said Keidy Vega who works at Doral Hooters.
“Our employees enjoy partnering with our local children’s hospitals year round. Our kitchen staff, Hooters Girls and managers enjoy the opportunity to prepare the meals for the hospital staff and deliver the books and visit the children,” said South Florida Hooters Director of Marketing Kristi Quarles.
Every month the South Florida Hooters restaurants donate more books and meals as part of their community partnership with local hospitals. Hooters has provided Holtz Children’s Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital with custom library carts for Hootie’s Lending Library” in the Pediatric ER. Each rolling library cart is filled with books for children of all ages. Every month the restaurant donates hundreds of books. Since 2022, Hootie’s Lending Library has provided over 8,500 books to the local hospitals.
