{"id":743,"date":"2008-08-07T10:53:37","date_gmt":"2008-08-07T14:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/news\/?p=743"},"modified":"2010-05-13T10:56:59","modified_gmt":"2010-05-13T14:56:59","slug":"caring-clowns-seek-volunteers-to-join-ranks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/news\/2008\/08\/caring-clowns-seek-volunteers-to-join-ranks\/","title":{"rendered":"Caring Clowns Seek Volunteers to Join Ranks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>(Camden, New Jersey) Cooper University Hospital is calling all clowns! The all too familiar Bumper \u201cT\u201d Caring Clowns<\/a> are on a mission looking for enthusiastic and fun-loving individuals to jump on board and join the crew.<\/p>\n

For over 30 years, George Edwards aka, Bumper \u201cT\u201d Clown of Barrington, New Jersey, has devoted his life to making people laugh. He had become such an inspiration to his patients and fellow students (who also volunteer in the hospital) that in 1998 they began calling themselves The Bumper \u201cT\u201d Caring Clowns to honor the man who taught them all. Since then, the program\u2019s success hadonly continued to grow. In April 2002, the original staff of five (including George Edwards) developed a training program in which individuals could join the team and volunteer their services to the hospital.<\/p>\n

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In the wake of the program\u2019s success, Edwards adds, \u201cI have to tell you that I am perpetually on cloud nine when I realize that my approach to hospital clowning has been introduced in more hospitals than I ever dreamed possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, nearing almost 82 years of age and currently volunteering part time, George Edwards has continued his passion for entertaining the patients, parents and staff and is once again encouraging enthusiastic individuals to join the Caring Clowns program.<\/p>\n

It provides an opportunity to expand your horizons and meet some incredible people. In the end, the experience itself is extremely self serving. Esther Gushner, one of the original five founders adds, \u201cIt gives you a new perspective on life and at the end of a day I feel like I\u2019ve made a difference in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Training Course, which costs $100 includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n