TEMPLE, Texas — His full name is Toni Saluto, but no one at McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple refers to him as that.
The kids and his co-worker, Kye Gressett says “everybody loves Mr. Toni. That’s his name, everybody knows Mr. Toni. Not the volunteer, not Mr. Saluto, but Mr. Toni.”
Mr. Toni spends three days a week volunteering at the children’s hospital and two days at the VA Hospital in Temple. Previously, he volunteered at hospitals in Illinois and Las Vegas.
While he splits his time between the two hospitals, it’s the children’s hospital that he enjoys most.
When a child is admitted to a hospital, Mr. Toni understands the toll it takes on them, including their parents.
“I’m trying to make their day more enjoyable, maybe they’re scared with what’s going on," he said.
The hospital staff all can agree it's a joy to see Mr. Toni around. He even pays the staff a visit with coffee during his hours at the hospital.
“It’s really moving, Gressett said. "Mr. Toni treats everyone no matter how old they are like his own child. It’s a blessing to see him work with the kids every day. It really puts a smile on their face.”
Faces like little Gigi, who is being treated for cancer at the hospital. Mr. Toni recently paid her a visit with a coloring book and stuffed animal in hand, and a with a few questions to ask:
“Did I give you a coloring book when you came in?“ he asked. After responding with a no, he handed her the gifts, causing her face to light up.
The new stuffed animal can keep company with the flamingo that she was gifted with on her first overnight stay.
Gigi is just one of the many kids that enjoy Mr. Toni’s company, she can confirm.
Mr. Toni's volunteer work has given him a sense of purpose.
“It’s so rewarding," he said. "How someone can say, 'I don’t have time to volunteer,' I don’t know.”
It's faces like Gigi’s that he loves the most, he said.
“The better reward is the look on the faces of the little kids," he said.
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