There are so many stories of successful treatment and recovery since Variety Children’s Hospital opened its doors in 1950. Founded ostensibly as a treatment center for victims of polio, the halls and walls of Miami Children's Hospital (MCH) have many stories to tell. From donors who have contributed to the largest pediatric cancer center in the U.S., to donors who make it possible for LifeFlight helicopters to bring tiny patients to the hospital for immediate health care, or to take a triage team to the child in need - MCH is there for the children, thanks to our donors.
Donors come in all shapes and sizes, as do donations. The following profiles highlight just a few of our special donors who have supported MCHF through charitable giving to the programs and projects of MCH. The generosity of so many is greatly appreciated and will help to continue to make our "Diamond of the South" - MCH - one of the top 30 pediatric hospitals in the U.S. according to US News and World Report.
Corporate Giving: Publix
George Jenkins founded Publix with the spirit of giving in mind. He was once asked, "If you hadn't given away so much, how much do you think you would be worth today?" His response, without hesitation: "Probably nothing." That spirit of giving still remains. For over 78 years, Publix and its associates in 929 stores have been actively involved in building up the communities of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In fact Publix continues to support thousands of local charities simply because it is the right thing to do. The Children's Miracle Network is one of the organizations that has benefited from Publix's generosity.
Publix customers and associates raised over $1.2 million in 2007 for Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Locally, Publix stores in Miami-Dade, Broward & Monroe Counties raised $386,512 for Miami Children's Hospital. Publix customers and associates realize the importance of having a pediatric hospital like Miami Children's in their own backyard and support the program through the sale of "miracle" (paper) balloons with vendor coupons attached. Publix finds great satisfaction in having the ability to make miracles happen for our critically ill and injured children and recognizes that this would not be possible without the tremendous support of customers and associates. Publix is extremely proud of their associates for their personal involvement in the communities they serve.
Publix hopes that their annual contributions to Children's Miracle Network and Miami Children's Hospital will not only improve the lives of children and families, but inspire others in the community to give.
For more information on Children's Miracle Network at Miami Children's Hospital Foundation, click here.
Planned Giving: Anonymous
"The most wasted day of all is that which you have not laughed."
A cross-stitch message that hung under her grandfather’s breakfast clock was a glimpse into the personality of a very private woman, an adored wife and beloved sister. A professional woman who had seen what might be termed, by some, as faith-altering scenes as an Army Nurse during the Battle of the Bulge and succumbing to and surviving tuberculosis, she never lost her sense of faith in God or her belief in the goodness and kindness in the world.
A native of Bloomington, MN, she and her husband of 41 years eventually settled permanently in South Florida and began a close personal and professional relationship with a prominent local attorney Eugene Sulzberger. It was through Eugene that the couple came to know Miami Children’s Hospital and its Foundation and it was he who suggested that they might wish to remember the Foundation in their estate plans, and they did.
"They were a remarkable couple, completely and totally in love," remembers Eric Sulzberger, who joined his father in the friendship that had started many years before, "and she was resolved that her wealth go to institutions that could best utilize and benefit from her and her husbands good fortunes, and Dad’s suggestion of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation seemed to fit her exacting desires. Ambassador David M. Walters, the Founder of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, also played a key role with regard to this generous donation."
Thanks to the original suggestion of Mr. Sulzberger senior and the continuing friendship of he and son Eric, upon the death of this very strong willed and private woman, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation received a gift of $2.7 million dollars.
To view the press release for this gift, click here.
In-Kind Giving: Peter Lik
Australian photographer Peter Lik is one of the world’s most innovative and awarded landscape photographers of this generation. A leader in the field of fine art photography, he is internationally recognized for his panoramic photos of landscapes showcasing brilliant colors and elegant terrains in nature. With galleries scattered throughout Australia and the United States, including New York, Miami, Key West, La Jolla, Aspen and Hawaii, Peter has achieved a loyal following.
Since establishing Peter Lik Fine Art Photography, Peter has made a point to align the company with several key organizations to support the local communities of his gallery locations. An avid believer in giving back to the country that has embraced him, Peter hopes his involvement with worthy organizations will help to raise the profile of important environmental issues and local causes.
As the first order of business in any city where he opens a gallery, Peter looks for a local charity with which he can align himself and support. While planning for his first East Coast gallery opening in Miami, Peter contacted the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation to propose a charitable partnership. Offering three of his pieces to beautify the hospital, as well as the donation of the proceeds from a silent auction held at the gallery opening, Peter hopes to lend continual support for a foundation which promotes the nurturing and well being of Miami’s future.
Grassroots Giving: My Gym Aventura
If you ever have the opportunity to step foot inside a My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, then you would know why we wanted to do a fundraiser for Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. Every day, we get the chance to work (and play of course) with truly amazing children. We feel blessed to be able to spend time with these children and watch as their self-esteem builds when they accomplish tasks they never thought possible. At My Gym Aventura, we wanted to give something back to the community for all that it has given us. Since we are all about celebrating children and their many accomplishments, we decided what better way to do it than to partner with MCHF and help the children who need it most. We are truly grateful for the tremendous support we received from our members and the community in making this event a huge success! We look forward to making this an annual event.
For more information on My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, visit our website www.mygym.com
. We hope to see you and your children soon. You will be amazed at what they can do! We hope that you will join us in making a child smile today.
Grassroots Giving: Aflac Holiday Duck 
Aflac is pleased that the Holiday Duck program has helped raise nearly $2 million for institutions like Miami Children’s Hospital nationwide since 2001. We are proud of our commitment to defeating pediatric cancer, and prouder still that this cause is embraced by the entire Aflac family. To date, more than 100,000 Holiday Ducks have been sold with all proceeds going to local hospitals.
Founded as a family business, Aflac is motivated by a strong sense of corporate citizenship and a desire to support worthy causes. What better way to convey a sense of family than by decking Aflac’s iconic mascot in holiday garb and making it available to the public to help children fight cancer. Today, the Aflac Duck is not only a star of television commercials, but a symbol of hope.
This year Aflac was pleased to present to the Miami Children’s Hospital more than $5,500 raised through local sales of the 2007 Holiday Duck. We hope to exceed that figure for 2009 -- because the research is working. Recent figures from the American Cancer Institute show the five-year survival rate for childhood cancer at nearly 80 percent, compared to less than 50 percent in the 1970’s.
Thanks to research funded through philanthropic generosity and world class facilities like Miami Children’s Hospital, the fight against pediatric cancer is fully-engaged and battles are being won. We are proud to be a part of this and look forward to unveiling the 2008 Aflac Holiday Duck in November.
Grassroots Giving: Aventura Mall
This year marks 25 years of giving for Aventura Mall, one of the nation’s most celebrated shopping centers. Aventura Mall has had a long standing philanthropic tradition of helping serve the needs of countless organizations in the South Florida community as well as national organizations. The Mall’s goal is simple – giving from the heart to those who need it most - a strong belief that will be carried on for future generations.
Aventura Mall is the epicenter of the community. From hosting charitable events such as walk-a-thons and other important community related activities, Aventura Mall takes on a key role in giving back to South Florida. Some of the causes close to the Mall’s heart are the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation who receives donations from coins tossed in the mall’s fountain. Each year Aventura Mall actively participates in collecting back-to-school and holiday gifts for the Children’s Home Society and Salvation Army. Some of the other ways that Aventura Mall is committed to helping the lives of others include blood drives and adopt-a-pet fairs held at the mall. Through bake sales with Share Our Strength, fund-raising luncheons with the Honey Shine Mentoring Program and granting wishes for children with life threatening diseases with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Aventura Mall has established a reputation for giving back to the community that will carry them not only through the next 25 years but beyond.
Grassroots Giving: Frank C. Martin's National Junior Honor Society
At first, Frank C. Martin's National Junior Honor Society was having a difficult time deciding which charity to benefit. We had discussed several options including the James Jr. Foundation, The Algebra Project, and even the Miami Rescue Mission for the homeless.
After two months, we still needed to find a place that would greatly enhance and change the lives of others like us. Meaning, we specifically wanted to address the concerns of young people. We were also aware that there were many kids our age that were suffering from multiple physical problems in your facility.
One meeting, one of our colleagues brought up the option of the Miami Children's Hospital, we all knew that you shared the same goal as ours. So, the medical center became our number one choice.
Since we all relished the thought of helping innocent children, we had to put together a spectacular Talent Show that would draw many of our parents and students. We began the auditions during our February and March meetings. By the end of them, we singlemindedly held the view that the program would be a smash hit!
In hindsight, we were extremely successful in informing the public about Miami Children's Hospital's trememdous work in our community. We also managed to work very hard for three weeks.
NJHS Chapter Advisor Mr. Stephen Simms and other Committee members Mrs. Alice Host, Mrs. Claudia Walden, Mrs. Catina Boynton, and Dr. Sharon Humphrey (our MYP coordinator) were also instrumental. They came up with creative ideas like giving students a slice of delicious birthday cake during lunch if they purchased a student or adult ticket to the Talent Showcase. Also, we gave out homemade cookies as another incentive to market our show. We published the show in our school newspaper and even had it announced over the loudspeaker about seven times.
This was how Frank C. Martin's National Junior Honor Society managed to raise over $1400. Ninety-two percent of all funds were ecstatically handed to Mrs. Diaz on behalf of this fine organization that has contributed so much to South Florida.