Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowBy Anna Corbit, Paganelli Law Group
The emergency room can be an overwhelming place for anyone with the lights, noise, strangers, and the circumstances that ultimately brought them there in the first place. Children can be impacted the most by it. Stuffed animals, on the other hand, have been providing children a sense of comfort and safety for decades. This is why IndyBar’s Paralegal Committee partnered with Eskenazi Hospital’s Emergency Department to help spread a little Christmas comfort by sponsoring a Teddy Bear Challenge at the Paralegal Holiday Luncheon to provide stuffed animals to those children in need of a distraction. The challenge provided a variety of animals including brown and furry teddy bears, green and snuggly dinosaurs, and pink and whimsical unicorns.
At first glance, it may seem like a very simple gift. However, it also provides the child something to cuddle up with, give a name to, and create stories and adventures within their imaginations during times when they may need that kind of help the most. They can be a kind of shield and companion against the realities they are facing. These precious plushies also help medical professionals calm and connect with their pediatric patients during times of stress and aids in establishing trust, communication, and solace. This was all part of the 2025 Paralegal Committee’s annual holiday luncheon held at the Columbia Club where paralegals across Indianapolis gather each December to celebrate the year.
While attendees networked, noshed, and noel’ed, they helped spread a little cheer to the pediatric patients at Eskenazi Hospital. They enjoyed a wonderful meal, listened to (and even sang with) the Pike High School Show Choir as they treated everyone with a variety of melodious holiday carols. Also in attendance were over three hundred stuffed animals sitting patiently under the Christmas tree in the corner of the ballroom waiting for their chance to make a difference making the Challenge a rousing success. The Challenge was also a friendly competition amongst local law firms. Special appreciation goes to Bose McKinney & Evans LLP for the firm that donated the most as a firm as well as paralegal Mary Beth Robbins who contributed the most as an individual.
The Paralegal Holiday Luncheon holds a philanthropic drive each season to provide comfort and essentials to the community. Last year they partnered with Second Helpings who benefited from a very successful Pasta Drive. The Paralegal Committee would like to thank all those who donated and extend a special holiday wish to all who provide and receive care at Eskenazi’s Emergency Department. Who will make Santa’s nice list for next year?•
Anna Corbit is a litigation paralegal at Paganelli Law Group with nearly ten years of experience in the field, primarily focusing on medical malpractice claims. She is an active member of IndyBar’s Paralegal Executive Committee.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.