NORFOLK, Va. — Rich Overstreet has a wardrobe of silly hats and outfits to make the tiniest of patients forget they’re in the hospital.
“When you walk in and you see them smile and they make you smile,” says Rich Overstreet.
Overstreet has been volunteering at Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk three days a week for the past decade, helping kids and their families through a difficult time.
“He’s in the intensive care unit with those families just making a huge difference,” according to Joy Parker, CHKD.
The retired Navy Vet tells me he wanted to do something, anything he could to lighten the load and give these young patients a fun distraction, especially around the holidays when kids are supposed to be home getting ready for Santa to visit.
“He helps out with our holiday workshop, the annual celebration of light, the Fall Festival, just all sorts of things, he’s incredible,” says Parker.
And on Wednesdays? Bingo!
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“They know him as the bingo man,” says Parker. “We broadcast that through closed TV through the hospital, so they watch him on television. He delivers prizes to their room. They think he’s straight off TV and they just love it.”
The CHKD staff told Rich News 3 was interviewing him for a story on volunteering, but we were there for a different reason.
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“We are here to give you and Everyday Heroes Award from News 3! Surprise! Thank you.”
We also presented Rich with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
While he appreciates the accolades, he says being able to volunteer at CHKD is the real reward.
“You can come here in any mood and the kids will lift you up," he said. "It’s my happy place.”
