Archive for February, 2008

Kids Wish Network and Kids Preferred Team Up for Kids

Posted in Press Releases on February 29th, 2008

Kids Preferred knows a little something about kids and toys. In particular, this amazing company knows just how much a soft, cuddly little ‘friend’ means to a child in the hospital, facing scary and oftentimes painful medical procedures. Kids Wish Network, a children’s charity, would like to take this opportunity to extend its warmest appreciation to Kids Preferred, a true giant in the toy industry, for its most gracious and generous support in helping the charity bring comfort and smiles to these seriously ill children all over the country.

 

Toys play an enormous role in Kids Wish Network’s mission to help sick children, and the organization relies heavily on the generosity of American’s toy distributors and manufacturers. In addition to granting wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, Kids Wish Network alleviates children’s suffering year round with its Holiday of Hope 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. Kids Preferred didn’t hesitate when Kids Wish Network asked for their help.  

 

Kids Preferred has donated over $256,000 retail value worth of cuddly, plush toys to Kids Wish Network and the thousands of children all over the country who are suffering with life-threatening illnesses. Kudos to this outstanding company!

 

Barbara Askin, Director of Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center says that the charity relies on the kindness and generosity of companies like Kids Preferred. “Kids Preferred is a fabulous company! The plush toys that our kids get provide a perfect distraction for them while they are in the hospital. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Kids Preferred in our Kids Wish Network ‘Guardian Angel’ family!”

 

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

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Kids Wish Network Brings ‘Hope’ to Children at Valley Presbyterian Hospital

Posted in Press Releases on February 15th, 2008

Van Nuys, CA - Hundreds of pediatric patients are receiving something very special to make their time at the hospital a little easier: new toys. Valley Presbyterian Hospital is the proud recipient of Kids Wish Network’s unique Gift Bank program. Kids Wish Network, a national charity dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children, is honored to be able to provide toys with a retail value of over $100,000 to the hospital to be given to its young patients. Megatrux, Inc is sponsoring this exciting event.

 

The hospital and Kids Wish Network are planning a special ‘kick off’ party to be held March 6th. During the festivities, representatives on both ends, along with their honorary sponsor, will give toys out to the children. Toys will then continue to be distributed to pediatric patients coming in throughout the year for treatment.
Megatrux, Inc., and the Megatrux companies, are one of the largest privately owned transportation, shipping & warehousing networks on the entire globe and have played a truly significant role in behind-the-scenes assistance to Kids Wish Network and its many programs. “Our whole team is very supportive and proud of its association with Kids Wish Network,” said Karen Pelle, President of Megatrux, Inc.  
"Valley Presbyterian Hospital is proud to partner with Kids Wish Network,” said Albert L. Greene, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The toy distribution program certainly will please the children who come to our Emergency Department and into our pediatric units. With the help and support of the Kids Wish Network we will continue to provide to the children of the San Fernando Valley high quality health care within an environment of dignity, respect and compassion."
 
Sylvia V. Henry, Director of the Valley Presbyterian Hospital Foundation was also extremely grateful for the donation. "The Kids Wish Network gift-giving program will help make the hospital a better place throughout the year for our pediatric patients and their families.”
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, Valley Presbyterian Hospital is one of the largest acute care hospitals in the San Fernando Valley. The 350-bed facility offers leading-edge technology and medical expertise in maternal and child health, cardiac care, orthopedics, and critical care services. VPH has more than 500 physicians representing virtually every specialty and most sub-specialties. For more information, visit our website at: www.valleypres.org.
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 gift giving programs, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free at 888-918-9004.

 

Written by: Robyn Larson

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JAKKS Pacific® ‘Plays’ a Big Part in Bringing Joy to Sick Kids

Posted in Press Releases on February 8th, 2008

Kids Wish Network, a nationally recognized 501 (c) 3 organization, dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the qualify of life for children, would like to extend its warmest appreciation to JAKKS Pacific, Inc., one of the country’s top toy manufacturers and distributors. Courageous children at pediatric care facilities in all 50 states are smiling thanks to JAKKS and Kids Wish Network.

 

JAKKS Pacific, a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products for children and adults, has been a long time sponsor and supporter of Kids Wish Network and has donated more than quarter of a million dollars worth of brand new, top of the line toys to the charity. JAKKS has generously provided Kids Wish Network with everything from hand held, electronic games and plug in video game systems, to arts and crafts kits and virtual pets to Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center.

 

These fabulous toys and games are then distributed to hospitals and pediatric care facilities nationwide through Kids Wish Network’s unique Holiday of Hope Gift Bank program, an uplifting program that brings cheer to children admitted to the hospital for treatment. The donated toys are placed in pediatric care facilities all across America and are given to the children when they arrive for treatment. These precious treasures go a long way in easing the fears and anxieties these brave little warriors associate with medical care. Doctors and nurses all agree: Sometimes a smile can be the very best medicine!

 

JAKKS Pacific toys are also included in Kids Wish Network’s special gift boxes that are shipped out to wish kids all over the United States.

 

Barbara Askin, Director of Kids Wish Network’s Distribution Center, said she is tremendously honored to partner with JAKKS Pacific in bringing joy to sick children everywhere. “JAKKS Pacific is a truly wonderful company and we are tremendously fortunate to be able to provide their fantastic products to our kids. There is nothing more rewarding than helping to bring a smile to the face of a child who is scared and hurting. With the support of companies like JAKKS Pacific, we are able to continue doing just that!”

 

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

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DON”T FUMBLE THIS BALL!

Posted in Press Releases on February 8th, 2008

Visit Kids Wish Network at booth 401 at Toy Fair 2008! You’ll have a ‘Giant’ opportunity to win big: a football signed by SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS AARON ROSS AND STEVEN SMITH OF THE NEW YORK GIANTS!

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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Kids Wish Network Partners With Wal-Mart for Some Very Special Children

Posted in Press Releases on February 1st, 2008

Tampa, FL – Young patients are enjoying an unexpected treat during their hospital visits to the University Community Hospital. Approximately $21,000 in retail value worth of toys were recently shipped to the hospital’s Pediatric Care Center to be distributed to the youngsters courtesy of Kids Wish Network, a Holiday, Florida based national charity dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children. Each and every child entering the hospital for treatment will receive a brand new toy from the Holiday of Hope Gift Bank. This extraordinary event would not be possible without the generosity of presenting sponsor, Wal-Mart. Both the Palm Harbor and Oldsmar locations sponsored the toys.

 

Shelley Bailey, Store Manager of the Wal-Mart in Palm Harbor said that the company was thrilled to partner with Kids Wish Network in bringing smiles to the kids at University Community Hospital. “Wal-Mart is truly proud to be a sponsor of this event. Everyone has such a great time and it is wonderful to be able to give back to the community. It is fulfilling knowing that we can help put some joy back into these children’s lives.”

 

"The generous donation from the Kids Wish Network enables the Pediatric Care Center to treat the spirits, as well as the bodies of infants, children and teens,” said Margie Boyer, RNC, MS, director of Women’s and Pediatric Services at University Community Hospital. "We are honored that the Kids Wish Network chose our hospital as a recipient of these gifts as they will definitely bring smiles to the children who unfortunately need to be hospitalized."

 

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.

 

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 Gift Bank program, please call 727- 937-3600 or toll free at 888- 918-9004.

 

Opened in 1968, University Community Hospital is a 465-bed facility that is home to six Centers of Excellence, which focus resources on major disease areas including orthopedics, cancer treatment, cardiac care, women’s health, pediatrics and diabetes management. The hospital is part of the University Community Health network of hospitals, which was created to reflect the combined strength and partnership achieved through the union of University Community Hospital (UCH) and UCH-Carrollwood in Tampa, and Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs. University Community Hospital is a regional health care leader committed to providing the community with safe, knowledgeable, compassionate care and a comprehensive range of services. Pepin Heart Hospital & Dr. Kiran C. Patel Research Institute, the new hospital in the University Community Health network of hospitals, is positioned to transform the delivery of healthcare with its all-digital technology. University Community Hospital is located at
3100 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Fla.
, (813) 971-6000.

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