Hannibal Regional Hospital and Hannibal Children’s Center (HCC) were recently awarded funding from the Missouri Department of Social Services in the amount of $64,824.  The Hannibal Children’s Center, a service of Hannibal Regional Hospital, will use these funds to update and enhance the facility, provide new play structures and surfacing for the preschool and toddler playgrounds, as well as provide new equipment and facility improvements for the school age playground.

“These funds will assist us in providing age-appropriate enhancements to our facility that will further stimulate the learning and growth of our students,” stated Meredith Andrews, Director - Hannibal Children’s Center.  “Our planned projects will enrich not only the learning environment but also the ensure a healthy, safe experience for children at the Children's Center.”

Many of the enhancements will be made outdoors, including the addition of trees to provide natural shade on all three playgrounds.  A climbing structure will be installed as well as a slide to aid the children in development of gross motor skills.  Other upgrades will improve child safety, such as the addition of water fountains and replacement of protective fall zones. New picnic tables will be made available for the children to eat outdoors in the natural air.

Wendy Harrington, President – Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation commented, “Since its inception, Hannibal Regional Hospital and the Foundation have made the Hannibal Children’s Center a place where young people can realize their full potential.  We would like to thank the Department of Social Services for partnering with us to enhance services here on the healthcare campus that will help us to continue encouraging and engaging the children of our community.”

The Hannibal Children’s Center teaches 140 children per year in 9 class levels and has after school programs for children up to age 12.  The center, which celebrated its tenth anniversary this past August, was made possible mostly through generous donor funding.

For more information about the Hannibal Children’s Center, please call 573-406-5700.  To learn about other specialty services offered by Hannibal Regional Hospital, call 573-248-1300 or visit hrhonline.org.