Pediatric Specialty Care in Erie

Speaker 1:
... proves that helping hands make all the difference. Traci Teudhope reports. 

Traci Teudhope:
Emma Osterberg is a twelve-year-old wrangler, who's quick to volunteer her time at WLD Ranch, especially when there are kids involved. 

Emma Osterberg:
It's just something I enjoy. 

Traci Teudhope:
I spent some time with her at WLD and even met her horse Mac. Is this always the horse you work with here other than when you were with the kids?

Emma Osterberg:
No, not usually. 

Traci Teudhope:
Lately, she's been out of the branch two times a week, helping with a project for kids from the Shriner's Hospital for Children. 

Emma Osterberg:
We welcome them here when they come. We help them get their helmets on and help them get on the horse and everything. 

Traci Teudhope:
Of course, here at the ranch, there's a lot these volunteers do from getting those saddles ready, of course, dealing with all that hay, the dirty work too all that manure, but Emma says she's happy to come back every single week. 

Emma Osterberg:
... do you love being here? 

Traci Teudhope:
I just like seeing the smiles on the kids' faces when they get up on the horse and do their exercises. 

Emma Osterberg:
The entire WLD family agrees Emma is an exceptional young lady. 

Speaker 4:
I just think that Emma is special because she wants to volunteer all the time. This isn't something that I made her do. This is something that she came to me and asked me if she could do. 

Traci Teudhope:
It's a good sign of what's still to come for Emma in the future. 

Speaker 4:
That means that she knows when she goes into an adulthood to continue to pay it forward. 

Traci Teudhope:
Do you know a good kid like Emma? If you do log onto YourErie.com and send us a nomination. Featured Good Kids receive $50 from the law offices of Edgar Snyder and Associates and Jet 24. With this week's Good Kid, Traci Teudhope, Jet 24 Action News.

Speaker 1:
Miss Wheelchair America Pageant contestants continue their tour of Erie this week.

Speaker 2:
Today at Shriners Hospital for Children, interacting with patients and staff, title holders from 26 States stopped at the medical center to visit with children, helping to instill confidence and leadership skills as part of their mission. The Miss Wheelchair America visitors also helped to make bracelets that will be donated to Emily's Beads for Needs, a fundraising initiative started by a young Shriners patient.

Eliza Stauffer:
It's really fulfilling for many of us because we grew up with Shriners. We're Shriner patients ourselves and so, to get to come here and collaborate and bring attention to how much good Shriners has done for us, and then to pay it forward, is just a very full circle of advocacy.

Speaker 2:
The pageant is in Erie this weekend. Organizers say the participants are judged on their public speaking, advocacy, and the initiative. The winner of Miss Wheelchair USA becomes a spokeswoman for people with disabilities.

Speaker 1:
On road-

Speaker 1:
A professional NASCAR driver makes a pit stop in Erie at the Shriners Hospital for Kids. David Ragan, visiting with sick children and their families for several hours at Erie's hospital. A Shriner himself, Ragan got the chance to judge a food contest using ingredients grown by Shriners kids. He even signed some autographs for the young fans. Ragan says Shriners Hospital is his official charity.

David Ragan:
All of these young kids are going through some struggles in one way or another in their life, and to have the Shriners Hospitals for Children kind of be there for them, it's rewarding to see their spirit.

Speaker 1:
Although he lives in Charlotte, Ragan says one of the first races of his career happened at Lake Erie Speedway. He also regularly competes at nearby Watkins Glen.