A child at Elmhurst with Cido the Clown.

Cyrus Zavieh, an Elmhurst Hospital Center employee for 19 years, likes to clown around. He’s also known as Cido the Clown and last month he led 40 international Caring Clowns to Elmhurst, Bellevue and Coler-Goldwater hospitals to perform for patients. The clowns were in town for the World Clown Association’s annual convention, held in New York City for the first time thanks to Zavieh’s leadership. Children in the pediatric ward at Elmhurst were among the patients who enjoyed the clowns in their full regalia of face paint, red bulb noses, funny hats, bow ties and big shoes.

“You see a clown come in the room and all of a sudden you see this magical smile on this kid’s face. It’s just incredible,” Zavieh told NY1 News, which covered the event. In recognition for their work to bring smiles to New Yorkers, Mayor Bloomberg declared March 13 - 19 “Make ‘em Laugh - New York City Clown Week.”

April 2011