Turner Construction Helps Bring Santa's Workshop to Patients at Miller Children's

Turner – the national construction company that built Miller Children’s inpatient pavilion – sponsored Santa’s Workshop – an event allowing hospitalized patients a chance to celebrate the holiday season. Turner held their own employee toy drive, months before the event took place, which allowed them to donate hundreds of gifts and toys for patients. Turner also helped recruit Santa and Ms. Claus from the North Pole to stop by for a special visit.

Then, Miller Children’s child life specialists transformed a giant hospital conference room into a carnival-style Santa’s Workshop where patients at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach became Santa’s little helpers for a day.

“Events, such as Santa’s Workshop, help make the hospital experience more positive for children of all ages, as well as their siblings and family members,” says Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life. “This is especially important during the holiday season when patients and their families are feeling more vulnerable.”

Turner employees were also paired up with patients who needed special attention, like those with wheelchairs or IV pulls and led them around to all the various “stops” in Santa’s Workshop. Patients were able to decorate cookies, take a personal photo with Santa and pick out their special holiday gifts. The patients’ favorite stop in Santa’s workshop was where they could make and wrap special gifts for their families and friends.

“Turner’s generous employees allowed us to give a present to every single child in the hospital that day, as well as some to spare for future patients admitted this holiday season,” says Goshert. “But the special attention our chronically-ill patients got with Turner employees is invaluable. Our patients and families all thank Turner for their time and generosity.”

With construction volume of $8.2 billion in 2009, Turner ranks first or second in major segments of the construction industry. Turner maintains a nationwide network of offices and a staff of more than 5,000 employees, performing work on over 1,200 projects each year. Turner's nationwide presence offers clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the strength, stability and resources of a national corporation.