Kids Wish Network

Tarpon Springs, FL – The police station was the unlikely location for an early visit from Santa Claus, who stopped by to personally deliver holiday gifts with the help of the Kids Wish Network and Santa’s elves-for-a-day, the Tarpon Springs Police Department. 

“Oohs” and “aahs” filled the air, as holiday cheer was shared with the community in the form of toys and games worth approximately $20,000.  The gifts were distributed Tuesday, December 23, 2008 to more than 300 very deserving youngsters who participate in the Tarpon Springs Police Department’s Cops & Kids Program.  Earlier in the day, police officers delivered toys to the homes of program participants who could not travel to the event.

This is the second year that Kids Wish Network has worked with the Tarpon Springs Police Department and both were happy to come together again to bring happiness to some children who really need it. 

Program volunteers do their best to match gifts to children’s individual letters to Santa, making for a very special holiday treat for these kids.  In joyful anticipation of her visit from Santa, five-year-old MiKayla Spatz even brought him homemade cookies to thank him for her gift.

The wonderful gifts are part of the Holiday of Hope Gift Bank Program run by Kids Wish Network. The Holiday, Fla., based national charity is dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. 

Tarpon Springs Police Chief Mark LeCouris said the department is thrilled to be able to help more local children in need at this year’s event. “Our continued partnership with Kids Wish Network brought a lot of hope and smiles to some special needs, at-risk and disadvantaged children in our area.  Especially now, when economic hardship is at its peak, we are happy to be able to work together for these kids. Giving back to the community is what the season is all about.”
 
Madeline Robinson, Manager of Wish Department for Kids Wish Network, said the charity was delighted to once again work with the Tarpon Springs Police Department. “Kids Wish Network works with children and pediatric care facilities all across the country and last year we were delighted to be able to give back to children right here in our own community. We are so excited to again partner with the Tarpon Springs Police Department during the holiday season.  I can’t say enough about the Police Department for so generously donating their time and energy to this most worthy cause!”
For more information on Kids Wish Network’s programs, please visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org. If you know of a facility that could benefit from Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank Program, please call (727) 937-3600 or toll free at (888) 918-9004.
 

Written by: Editorial Staff

There is a truly extraordinary ‘Guardian Angel’ that you may see at any given moment as you drive on any highway in the United States. Megatrux, Inc., and the Megatrux companies are one of the largest privately owned transportation, shipping & warehousing networks. They have been making some extra special deliveries: toys and smiles to sick children all over the country. They do this in support of Kids Wish Network. 

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. In addition to granting wishes, Kids Wish Network works to alleviate children’s suffering year round with its Gift Bank program, an uplifting program that brings cheer to children admitted to the hospital for treatment. Toy manufacturers and distributors nationwide donate brand new, top of the line toys and games to the charity to be given to sick and hospitalized children. In order for the toys to be given to the children, however, they must first be delivered to the hospitals and children’s care facilities. That’s where Megatrux comes in!

This incredible company donates its first rate shipping services to Kids Wish Network. Its drivers work tirelessly all year round delivering thousands and thousands of toys while driving through rain, sleet and snow to make sure the kids get their toys. For that reason, Kids Wish Network proudly proclaims Megatrux one of its true ‘Guardian Angels’!

Karen Pelle, President of Megatrux, has been instrumental in organizing her company’s efforts to help deliver the toys. They typically deliver between $20,000 and $60,000 worth of goodies to each facility. And not only do they deliver the toys, they also pick up toys from toy companies across the country and bring them to Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center in Florida where they are processed, bagged and sent out to the children – courtesy of course, of Megatrux.

Barbara Askin, Director of Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center says that the charity would be unable to bring joy to so many children without the support of Megatrux. “Karen is just like Mrs. Santa Claus all year round!” she said enthusiastically. “Without her generosity and compassion, we wouldn’t be able to get these toys out to our kids. Megatrux is a positively outstanding company and their commitment to children is truly inspiring!”

For more information on Kids Wish Network and its programs and services, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org or call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. 
Written by: Editorial Staff

Holiday, FL – Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank is an uplifting, gift-giving program that brings cheer to children admitted to various children’s facilities and pediatric hospitals. These Gift Banks provide emergency rooms, pediatric units, and other children’s care facilities with age appropriate toys that offer a welcome distraction to young patients from upsetting and often traumatic medical experiences. Emergency and hospital rooms can be frightening places for children and these special toys bring them comfort and joy when they need it the most.

The amazing success of this unique program is due to the generosity of toy companies and manufacturers all over the United States. Kids Wish Network would like to take this time to thank all of these outstanding generous and caring companies that have become a part of its growing ‘Guardian Angel’ family, especially in this tough economic climate. Thanks to all of you, none of this would have ever happened!

Kids Wish Network’s most recent Holiday of Hope Gift Bank recipients, receiving well over $110,000 worth of toys for their pediatric patients, were St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin, St. Vincent Hospital in Wisconsin, Shriner’s Hosptial for Children in Philadelphia and Parkview Hospital in Indiana. Wow! The hospitals are absolutely thrilled with the toys and games, but they’re nowhere near as ecstatic as the children! There’s nothing that puts a smile on a child’s face faster than a toy, and this holiday season, there are thousands of smiles at hospitals across the United States thanks to a little “Guardian Angel” magic over at Kids Wish Network.
For more information on Kids Wish Network’s programs and upcoming events, please visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org. If you know of a hospital that could benefit from its Holiday of Hope Gift Bank program, please call 727- 937-3600 or toll free at 888-918-9004.
Written by: Editorial Staff

There is a truly extraordinary ‘Guardian Angel’ that you may see at any given moment as you drive on any highway in the United States. Megatrux, Inc., and the Megatrux companies are one of the largest privately owned transportation, shipping & warehousing networks on the entire globe. They have been making some extra special deliveries: toys and smiles to sick children all over the country. They do this in support of Kids Wish Network. 

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. In addition to granting wishes, Kids Wish Network works to alleviate children’s suffering year round with its Gift Bank program, an uplifting program that brings cheer to children admitted to the hospital for treatment. Toy manufacturers and distributors nationwide donate brand new, top of the line toys and games to the charity to be given to sick and hospitalized children. In order for the toys to be given to the children, however, they must first be delivered to the hospitals and children’s care facilities. That’s where Megatrux comes in!

This incredible company donates its first rate shipping services to Kids Wish Network. Its drivers work tirelessly all year round delivering thousands and thousands of toys while driving through rain, sleet and snow to make sure the kids get their toys. For that reason, Kids Wish Network proudly proclaims Megatrux one of its true ‘Guardian Angels’!

Karen Pelle, President of Megatrux, has been instrumental in organizing her company’s efforts to help deliver the toys. They typically deliver between $20,000 and $60,000 worth of goodies to each facility. And not only do they deliver the toys, they also pick up toys from toy companies across the country and bring them to Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center in Florida where they are processed, bagged and sent out to the children – courtesy of course, of Megatrux.

Barbara Askin, Director of Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center says that the charity would be unable to bring joy to so many children without the support of Megatrux. “Karen is just like Mrs. Santa Claus all year round!” she said enthusiastically. “Without her generosity and compassion, we wouldn’t be able to get these toys out to our kids. Megatrux is a positively outstanding company and their commitment to children is truly inspiring!”

For more information on Kids Wish Network and its programs and services, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org or call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. 
Written by: Editorial Staff

Big Baby Gives a Big Hand to Children in Need