Get the Best Winter Activities
The volunteers carried their own equipment and supplies, says Lucchi-Caponigro, along with items for the children, such as stuffed animals, coloring books, and clean clothes. "The kids come and they have nothing except what they're wearing on their backs," she says. "We have limits to what we can bring, but we do the best we can to bring as much as we can."
Lucchi-Caponigro, who has traveled overseas with Healing the Children about 11 times in the past 11 years, organized the trip and served as head administrator. She also served as head therapist and used her medical expertise to aid children in their recovery process after surgery, teaching parents how to care for them after the volunteers left as well.
"A few times we've gone back to the same place and have been able to see patients we've operated on [in the past]," she says. "They come back to show us how well their child is doing. It's truly an amazing experience."
To learn more about Healing the Children, visit www.healingthechildren.org. For more information on Lori Lucchi-Caponigro and Hand Therapy of Rockland, visit www.handtherapyofrockland.com.