Patients in the cardiology ward of the Fort Lauderdale-based Florida Medical Center had a few surprise visitors recently.

When the members of the Coral Springs Woman’s Club left the hospital, they took home heartfelt words of gratitude in exchange for the heart shaped pillows they had given the patients.

Joann Black, leader of the heart pillow project, said it felt wonderful to be at the hospital. “We delivered 48 pillows," she said. "The hospital authorities allowed us to go to the ward and present a pillow to one patient. It is a great feeling to know that we are helping make someone’s recovery just a little bit better.”

Club members have been working to make life better for patients at the Coral Springs Medical Center and the Northwest Regional Medical Center in Margate, said Ruth Ann Gillooly, club vice president. “We gave stuffed teddy bears to patients in the children’s ward of the Coral Springs Medical Center and pillows to patients in the cardiology wing of the regional medical center. Another batch of pillows will be ready to go out by March.”

The club also donates books to two elementary schools in the county and the library in Coral Springs, said Bert Alberti, president. “Our club was honored by ‘Heart of America’ for the donation of books to schools in deprived areas. We partnered with Broward College to donate clothing, toys and supplies to hurricane-hit Haiti.”