The Amazing Story Of A PRHC Balloon That Landed On A Front Lawn In Dolgeville, New York

A balloon at PRHC intended to let the Peterborough community know about the hospital's new 24-hour patient visiting policy has had amazing, unintended consequences.

See, the balloon somehow became dislodged at the hospital, and travelled (it took about a week) all the way to Dolgeville, New York—a small town at the base of the Adirondack Mountains. It landed on the lawn of a woman named Julie Ruggiero, a teaching assistant at Dolgeville Central School.

Once Ruggiero retrieved the balloon, she began researching the hospital online, and was amazed to see how far it had travelled. She was also amazed at the kindness of the Peterborough community.

When looking up the hospital online, she happened upon Dr. Peter McLaughlin’s recent CEO blog post praising Peterborough's response following the fire at the Peterborough mosque. She used this information as an opportunity not only to reach out to the hospital and the Peterborough community, but also as a beautiful teaching moment for her students.

Here is an excerpt of an email she sent to PRHC on December 1st. It is, quite simply, amazing:

“We are so sorry for what has happened there to your mosque, but find it amazing the fundraising effort of your community to raise so much money toward the rebuilding of the mosque! Please let everyone know that your message has traveled internationally and we have implemented it in our curriculum here at school. The 6th and 7th grade social studies teachers have shown the balloon to our children and videos of the terrible acts put upon your community. We have taught them that the community together can do so many things for each other and that there are more acts of kindness than bad!  Thank you for your message and we stand with you in your acts of kindness in this world as more need to be recognized!!”

So... Peterborough's hope and kindness travelled hundreds of kilometers—by balloon.

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The Plane Has Landed! Next Stop NY!!

After a delay in landing due to the fog, the Boeing 737 has landed at Peterborough Airport! Next stop an historic flight to New York City! Watch the video of the landing here.

Photo via @LoomexGroup on Twitter

Passengers waiting at Peterborough Airport for Canadian North to take them to New York City!

Photo Michelle Ferreri on Instagram

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