Kids Wish Network

Kids Wish Network, a nationally recognized 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children, extends its appreciation to the many toy manufacturers, licensors, and retailers that have donated products to the organization throughout the year. The donations have helped Kids Wish Network reach thousands of children across the country through their Gift Bank program, which provides toys and gifts to hospitalized children, hospital nurseries, playrooms and Wish Children’s gift bags. We invite you to visit our website at www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn more about our organization.

 

During Toy Fair 2008, Kids Wish Network will hold daily drawings at 1 PM at their booth #401 for prizes generously donated by: Verizon Wireless, The New York Giants, Fameabilia, a retailer of authentic, autographed memorabilia and Allegro Rainbow, a provider of non-violent music gaming software and musical educational tools. Please stop by our booth and say ‘hello’, and sign up for our special drawings. Each day we will be giving out fabulous donated prizes.  The drawing schedule is as follows:

 

Sunday, February 17

• Autographed Jersey and Basketball signed by NY Knicks Center, #34 Eddy Curry. Donated by Verizon Wireless

 

Monday, February 18

• New York Giants Autographed Football signed by Cornerback #31 Aaron Ross and Wide Receiver #12 Steven Smith.  Donated by the New York Giants.

 

Tuesday, February 19

• M-Audio 4 Octave Keyboard and Academy Pro Pack 50 with Printed Songbooks, teaches you to play the piano in minutes!  Donated by Music Wizard Group.

 

Wednesday, February 20

• Hand-Signed, Framed Movie Poster of Jake LaMotta.  Nicknamed “The Bronx Bull”, and “The Raging Bull”, LaMotta is a former boxer who was world middleweight champion and whose life has been as controversial outside the ring as it was inside.  He was portrayed by Robert Di Nero in the biopic “Raging Bull”.  Donated by Fameabilia.

 

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 $60,000 and $100,000 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 Santa Claus!” 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: Robyn Larson

Kids Wish Network would like to shine a spotlight on a very special ‘Guardian Angel’ that has made an overwhelmingly generous donation to the charity. Thanks to Geneon Entertainment, Inc. which has donated over $138,000 worth of CD’s, DVD’s and toys to Kids Wish Network, thousands of children all over the country who are suffering with life-threatening illnesses will have something wonderful to smile about.  

 

Toys play a truly significant role in helping Kids Wish Network fulfill its mission to help sick children. In addition to granting wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, Kids Wish Network alleviates 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. Geneon Entertainment was eager to be a part of the magic of bringing smiles to kids who desperately need them.

 

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 companies like Geneon Entertainment “This magnanimous company has opened its heart to our wonderful kids and have given so much. These amazing items will go a long way in bringing happiness to thousands of deserving youngsters. We are so thankful to Geneon Entertainment and truly consider them to be real ‘Guardian Angels’!”

 

 

 

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. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org
Written by: Robyn Larson

Ft. Myers, FL – A visit to the hospital will be made a little bit easier for kids entering the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida for treatment. Approximately $110,000 in retail value worth of toys were recently shipped to the hospital’s pediatric units to be distributed to the youngsters courtesy of Kids Wish Network, a Holiday, FL  based national charity whose primary mission is dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children suffering with life-threatening illnesses. The toys are a part of the charity’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank. Chico’s Charities is the presenting sponsors for this unique event.

 

Cole Peacock, Vice President of Chico’s Charities, said that the company was proud to be a part of this special program. “The Chico’s family is honored to be part of such an amazing opportunity, to touch a child’s life in a positive way and to see the smiles and joy over toys as they forget the difficulties they may be facing is just simply amazing.”

 

Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank is an uplifting, gift-giving program that brings cheer to children admitted to the hospital for treatment. The Gift Bank provides emergency rooms, pediatric wards, 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.

 

A soft, plush toy can quickly dry the eyes of a child getting stitches or having a broken arm set; books, puzzles, and games provide an enjoyable diversion to long hospital stays. Pediatric doctors and nurses all agree that sometimes a smile can be the very best medicine.

 

"We are so thankful to receive such a wonderful gift that keeps on giving with each patient we service,” said Kelley Cowan, the Child Life Specialist at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. “This wonderful toy donation has helped us to really give our kids something special for being special kids.  We are so thankful to work with such an outstanding organization that really cares about the kids its helping."  

 

For more information on Kids Wish Network’s programs, please visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org. If you know of a hospital that could benefit from its Holiday of Hope program, please call (727) 937-3600 or toll free at (888) 918-9004.

 

The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is located at HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers and is part of the Lee Memorial Health System.  As the only facility of its kind between Tampa and Miami, The Children’s Hospital is dedicated to giving children and teenagers the highest level of medical and surgical care available anywhere.  Both inpatients and outpatients receive comprehensive care for medical problems ranging from minor ailments to critical injuries.