“Doesn’t it just bring tears to your eyes?” said Cynthia Sparer, Executive Director of the Children’s Hospital. Through its partnership with the hospital, Dunkin’ has provided Yale New Haven more than $630,000 worth of support. Inside, a five-year-old crouched to the floor to pet one of the in-residence “Dunkin’ Dogs” that joined the party to add even more joy. Outside the building, Dunkin’ set up a truck and workers were handing out free coffee to hospital employees. The company reached out asking if he’d like to hang out with the kids and also promote Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day May 23, which helps support programs for hospitalized children and their families, including those at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. “Making people happy is something that I’ve always tried to do and seeing these kids, what they go through and the struggle they face, just giving them a little something in their day to make them happy and bring a smile to their face means a lot to me.”Ĭlingan was there in partnership with Dunkin’, which has worked with other UConn men’s basketball players including Jordan Hawkins. “It means a lot to see some of the smiles on these kids’ faces, just bringing joy into their day,” Clingan said. I’m the tallest on my team, so I kinda know what it feels like,” McNeil said, adding: “I want to play at UConn.”Ĭlingan made sure to strike up a conversation with McNeil, who sat in his wheelchair entranced by the towering future NBA player, and made his way around the room.Īfter spending about a half hour in the Teen Center, signing autographs, taking pictures and striking up conversation with any and every child he could, Clingan again ducked his head under the door frame and proceeded to walk down the hallway, visiting with more children in their rooms. “He’s really tall – I mean, I play basketball. McNeil is a member of the “Kings Kids” sixth grade basketball team through the Bridgeport Boys and Girls Club.
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