In Judge Mike Anderson’s courtroom, justice may be blind but it’s certainly not deaf. Anderson, of the 262nd District Court, has implemented a sentencing program aimed at rehabilitating probationers while supporting Radio Lollipop,
Texas Children’s Hospital’s in-house radio station.The program is one of only two Radio Lollipop programs in the nation and the only one in Texas. Radio Lollipop broadcasts to Texas Children’s patient rooms through the hospital’s television system. Volunteer disc jockeys take musical requests, put children on-air from the bedside or in the studio and involve listeners through games, art projects and contests.Anderson requires each probationer he sentences to donate $50 to Radio Lollipop. He learned about the program when his newborn son was hospitalized at Texas Children’s for several days in January. He was so impressed, he decided to visit the Radio Lollipop studio.”I was even more impressed by what I saw,” Anderson said. “It was great. Any program that can give a sick child a project that takes his or her mind off illness is wonderful.”
“We are grateful to all of the donors who support Radio Lollipop programming,” said Sarah Fallon Maytum, Radio Lollipop coordinator. “We are so thrilled when people like Judge Anderson recognize the value of recreational programs for children in the hospital and support us by encouraging others to contribute as well.”