Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital received $47,774 from Spirit of Children on Thursday, January 24, supporting the Child Life program at the hospital. Scott Perryman, MBA, senior vice president and administrator of Children’s Hospital, thanked Spirit stores on behalf of the hospital. “There’s such power in community partners,” Perryman said. “Spirit stores spread our story to countless people, and we are thankful the organization has chosen to support us with a cumulative total of nearly $400,000 in donations from the last eight years.”
Through the Child Life program, specially trained staff provide every level of support to patients and their families during hospitalization, including access to activity rooms, emotional and mental support, school reintegration programs, coping strategies, education on medical procedures and diagnoses, and more. These services are available seven days a week, 365 days a year at Children’s Hospital.
Spirit stores help empower this program by annually hosting a “Spirit of Children” fundraiser throughout the fall season. During this time, employees encourage Spirit store customers at all of their Southern California locations to donate funds both large and small in support of Children’s Hospital.