Good Deeds

Britney Spears Visits Sick Children in Miami

By Linda Marx

03/07/2009 at 08:15 PM EST

After rolling into Miami, Britney Spears's Circus Tour featured a sideshow for a worthy cause.

The pop star paid a visit to 40 sick children at Miami Children's Hospital on Saturday. "She took pictures with the kids and gave them autographed pictures," hospital spokesperson Cristene Martinez tells PEOPLE. "The kids were so excited to meet Britney, and having her here was a great distraction for them."

She also made a donation to the hospital's Big Apple Circus Clown Care program, which features clowns who have medical training who visit the young patients on a regular basis, as well as attend special events at the hospital.

Spears, 27, who did not have her own children with her, stayed about a half hour, then left with her bodyguard to prepare for her show at the America Airlines Arena.