September 8, 2025 - MADERA, Calif. – A small act of kindness is making a big difference in the emergency department at Valley Children’s Hospital.
The Rose Bags initiative is offering families comfort during what can be some of the most stressful moments of their lives.
The idea for the care packages was born during a staff meeting in the emergency department, where team members identified common requests from families and brainstormed ways to make their lives easier during their visit.
The result: thoughtfully curated bags filled with items meant to provide relief and reassurance.
Each Rose Bag includes socks, mints, lip balm, feminine hygiene products, mini lotions, word search books, coloring pencils and other essentials. The contents are selected to meet immediate needs and offer a moment of calm.
“Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that leave the biggest impressions,” said ED Registration Services Manager Graciela Aguirre. “The Rose Bags are our way of showing families that even in the midst of a chaotic day, they matter – and we care.”
The project was funded through a $500 grant from the Guilds Pink Pig Fund, which supports initiatives not covered by department budgets. The grant enabled the team to assemble and distribute the bags quickly.
“It was truly a team effort,” said ED Registration Lead Liz Ramirez-Romero. “I have been working at Valley Children’s for a decade now and it’s so heartwarming to see what we can accomplish as a team.”
In a place where urgency rightfully takes center stage, the Rose Bags offer a gentle reminder: small acts can leave big impressions.
To learn more about the Valley Children’s Emergency Department, click here. For more information on the Guilds of Valley Children’s, click here.
