A comfortable pillow may help a child rest easier in the hospital, thanks to a project by West Madison Elementary School fifth-graders.

Both of Kimberly Hobbs’ history classes made pillows and delivered their handiwork to young patients at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children on May 22.

A student’s parent suggested the project to Hobbs, which she adapted with their study of presidential order. “From there, the class presidents and vice presidents established their cabinets, similar to those of the actual U.S. president,” Hobbs said.

The cabinet had “one entity for education and medical services. The presidents and vice presidents reflected on the pillows they had created and wanted to give back to the community and provide children at the hospital with pillows to comfort them,” Hobbs said.

Parents donated fleece fabric and polyfiber stuffing, along with their time to cut the pillows to form. To simplify the process for students, no stitching was involved. “Students connected fringes to create mid-size, square-shaped pillows,” Hobbs said. “The material came in various kid-friendly themes, like sports, animals and insects.”

With the project, Hobbs’ students saw the importance of community service, helping others and the value of working with stakeholders.

Hospital administrators were very pleased with the West Madison project. “All that you could hear echoed was, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,'” Hobbs said.

Hobbs’ students thought the idea was “cool.” Hobbs saw excitement and eagerness in their actions. “The icing on the cake was when administration gave them a tour around the facility. In the X-ray room, they showed them actual X-ray film. They tried on protective garments made from lead for those administering X-rays.”

The West Madison students also toured the emergency room and children’s playroom and computer/game room. The tram ride was their most exciting moment.

Hobbs believes the effort was worthwhile. “I was well pleased with the students’, parents’ and even grandparents’ comments,” she said.