Students from a 5th grade class at Lowell Elementary in Long Beach get ready to play bingo with patients in the hematology/oncology playroom at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach through Skype.

Long Beach Poly High School sophomore, Destin Bigsby, was looking for a way to facilitate community service for individuals in his community. Believing that giving is contagious and that just one good deed can make a difference, Destin created a movement called “One Big Deed.”

Through his efforts, Destin was instrumental in organizing two philanthropic events over the last few months utilizing the students in his sister’s 5th grade class at Lowell Elementary in Long Beach.

On Friday, May 9, Destin launched his latest project, a Skype “virtual play date” that involved patients in the hematology/oncology playroom at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach and students in his sister’s 5th grade classroom at Lowell Elementary.

This was first time that patients at Miller Children’s interacted with their peers in the community using Skype technology. The two groups played bingo, sang songs and got to know one another – even though they were miles apart.

“It’s amazing to see how much our community, even our youngest members, support our patients and families,” says Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life Program, Miller Children’s. “We have a lot of activities for our patients, but being able to connect with kids their same age outside of the hospital is a special and unique experience for them.”

“It’s especially relevant to use technology with school age children during their hospital stay because children have access to this type of technology at school and at home,” says Goshert. “This technology gives kids in the playroom a chance to connect with other kids their age while not having to worry about infection control.”

On Monday, May 19, the students and patients had their second “virtual play date.” The Bigsby family is working closely with the Child Life Program at Miller Children’s to make “virtual play dates” a regular activity throughout the hospital.

Visit Facebook for more information on getting involved with One Big Deed.

After a winning round of bingo, 6-year-old Jocelyn enjoys her prize – a brand new bunny.

Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life Program, and Destin Bigsby, volunteer, help patients hear the numbers being called during a Skype bingo game with Lowell Elementary.

Destin Bigsby and his younger sister A’stara Bigsby prepare for the first Skype “virtual play date” between her 5th grade class at Lowell elementary and patients in the hematology/oncology playroom at Miller Children’s.