Archive for the ‘Fundraising’ Category

Lacy Lee, child life specialist in the Children’s Center at The Medical Center, with 12-year old Brittney Braggs, a patient who drew Lacy’s winning raffle ticket for a Mother’s Day basket at Miracle Friday.

Even in these difficult economic times, the generosity of Columbus Regional Healthcare employees toward children in the Columbus, Georgia community was at an all-time high on Miracle Friday!

A record-breaking $33,500 was contributed for the Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center. The special fundraising event was held the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center.

Our sincere gratitude goes to those who filled the 37 baskets, bid on the baskets, and bought the baked goods and barbeque that contributed to raising the record-breaking amount.

Support Scott and The Miracle Riders, Children’s Champions

By Joseph R. Zanga, M.D. | Chief of Pediatrics | The Medical Center

Dr. Joseph R. Zanga

I came to Columbus 18 months ago because I wanted to be a part of that effort which had the unified support of the pediatric and lay community. Now you can be a part of that future too.

On Friday, May 28, Country’s Barbeque co-owner Scott Ressmeyer returns from riding his Harley through the lower 48 (this year with 10 other children’s champions) in support of the Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center. CMN raises funds to support some of the extraordinary work we do here.

Click to visit the Scott’s Ride for Miracles blog.

You all know of the long standing, regionally recognized care we provide to the smallest and often sickest of our citizens in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Whether born at The Medical Center, sometimes unexpectedly, or transported after birth—often with heroic effort by the NICU team—these tiny infants are surrounded by specialized equipment purchased with CMN funds.

So read about Scott’s Ride for Miracles on his blog and open your hearts and wallets to support what these men are doing to support Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center, to support children, to support our community’s future.

At the April 16 check presentation at Cooper Creek were, from left, Larry Sanders (Columbus Regional chairman and CEO), Dr. Andrew Pippas (medical director of the John B. Amos Cancer Center), Helen Johnson (group vice president of Community Development, Columbus Bank and Trust Company), and Tom Titus (Columbus Regional senior vice president). In the background is Henry Swift (Steering and Tennis Committees member and chair of External Sales).

The Columbus Regional Medical Foundation’s 2010 Celebrity Classic raised a record-breaking $315,000 this year.

This tremendous outpouring of community support benefits the John B. Amos Cancer Center.

The Celebrity Classic featured cycling, tennis,  golf and running events during the weekend of April 16–19, as well as biking events on May 2.

Supported once again by a dedicated group of corporate sponsors, individual donors and volunteers, this year’s classic included:

• 150 tennis players
• 700 runners
• 250 golfers representing a long list of sponsors
• 168 cyclists

Synovus Financial Corp. was the Celebrity Classic’s presenting sponsor.

The Events

• Tennis: An adult tennis clinic and tournament was held at Cooper Creek Park on Friday, May 16, and a junior tennis clinic was held on Saturday, May 17. Peter Burwash International supplied tennis pros from all over the world.

• Running: A 5K/10K run was held at the National Infantry Museum on Saturday, May 17.

• Golf: A junior golf clinic was held at Godwin Creek Golf Course on Sunday, May 18, and a golf tournament was held at Green Island Country Clubon Monday, May 19.

• Cycling: The Wheels to Heal biking event was held on Sunday, May 2.

This year, former Wimbledon champion Stan Smith was featured at the tennis event, and golf trick shot artist Kevin Compare—also known as Divot the Clown—was featured at the golf tournament and junior golf clinic.

What began last year as Scott’s Ride for Miracles has now expanded to include Scott’s Miracle Riders and will once again benefit Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at The Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia.

Scott Ressmeyer (on motorcycle) with the Miracle Riders (left to right): Tim Wynn, Ronnie Wilson, Mark Alexander, Mike Langford, Ralph Kingry, James Cole, Mike Jolley, Larry Suits, Brice Patterson and Mike Hamby.

On May 7 at 11:30 a.m., Country’s Barbeque co-owner Scott Ressmeyer and 10 friends will board their Harley Davidson motorcycles at The Medical Center and embark upon a 21-day, 48-state journey to raise awareness and money to help fund cardiac monitors in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Scott will be joined by:

• Mark Alexander (Columbus, GA)
• James Cole (Midland, GA)
• Mike Hamby (Cataula, GA)
• Mike Jolley (Hamilton, GA)
• Ralph Kingrey (Fortson, GA)
• Mike Langford (Cataula, GA)
• Brice Patterson (Waverly Hall, GA)
• Larry Suits (Columbus, GA)
• Ronnie Wilson (Salem, AL)
• Tim Wynn (Columbus, GA)

In addition to taking time off from work and funding all personal expenses associated with the ride (including hotels, meals and gasoline), each of Scott’s Miracle Riders is committed to raising at least $2,500 to participate in the more than 9,000-mile trek across the United States.

Providing support for the event include lead sponsor Circle K, event sponsors Country’s Barbeque and Ranger Joe’s, and bike wrap sponsors Medline Industries and Daniel Appliance.

About Scott’s Ride for Miracles

Scott launched the event last year to commemorate his 50th birthday, with the goal of raising $35,000 to purchase a GE Omni Giraffe Bed for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Medical Center.

With the support of his friends, family and a generous community, he exceeded his goal by raising $51,000.

This year, by joining forces with his Miracle Riders, Scott hopes to raise $75,000, which will go toward purchasing cardiac monitors for the PICU.

Originally planned as a one-time trip, Scott said this year’s journey evolved after Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley approached him shortly after his return, saying he wanted to be a part of this year’s event.

Get Involved

• Donation via Text Message (SMS): This year, donors will have a new Text to Give option for supporting Scott’s Ride for Miracles.

• Donation via Secure Website: Donors may also give in a more traditional way at the Scott’s Ride for Miracles online donation page on the Columbus Regional Website.

• Support Cards: In addition to pledging financial support, during May, patrons may purchase, sign and display Scott’s Ride for Miracles cards at several local restaurants and businesses, including Country’s Barbeque, B. Merrell’s, Mellow Mushroom, Rosehill Seafood, Hunter’s Pub, Speak Easy and Aspen Mountain Grill.

• Local “Welcome Home” Escort Ride: Additionally, local motorcycle enthusiasts have the opportunity to escort Scott and his Miracle Riders as they return for their welcome celebration at the Columbus Riverwalk on Friday, May 28. Visit the blog to register for this opportunity.

The Medical Center Auxiliary recently celebrated its 47th birthday by giving $133,000 of financial gifts to several groups during birthday celebrations at the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center earlier this month.

Ruby Jackson presents Lance Duke with a birthday box filled with the names of those receiving financial gifts from the Auxiliary.

Auxiliary President Ruby Jackson made check presentations to Lance Duke, The Medical Center president and CEO, who received the gifts on behalf of the:

• Bunch McClellan Nursing Scholarship
• Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center
• John B. Amos Cancer Center
• Mary Ann Pease Healthcare Scholarship Fund
• The Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Over the past 47 years, The Medical Center Auxiliary’s financial contributions—which benefit the Columbus, GA community—have exceeded $4.4 million through various fundraising efforts.

Jasmine Winston serves pancakes to Jane Starnes at the IHOP on Airport Thruway in Columbus, GA on National Pancake Day.

The Columbus City Council earlier this month recognized a local International House of Pancakes restaurant for its fundraising efforts during this year’s National Pancake Day on February 23.

The event, sponsored by IHOP, offered customers a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In exchange, customers were asked to consider donating to the Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center.

The Columbus-area IHOP (2111 Airport Thruway) raised more than $9,600, the most in the Southeast.

Columbus Cottonmouths hockey team members players will work for “tips” and will provide entertainment at the Snake Eyes benefit event.

Members of the Columbus Cottonmouths hockey team will serve as dealers, waiters and more at “Snake Eyes,” a casino-themed benefit the team is hosting at the Columbus Civic Center on Tuesday, March 2 at 6.30 p.m.

All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center.

The evening will be filled with popular casino games, as well as a great silent auction and fantastic prizes.

Cottonmouths players will work for “tips” and will provide entertainment.

Tip chips can be purchased by guests (all of whom must be 18 years old or older).

Admission is $35. For more information, please call (706) 660-6115.

Columbus Regional Executive Vice President and COO Lance Duke, Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington, Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Joseph Zanga, and Aetna’s Georgia Marketing Head Cindy Follmer Crowley.

The fight against childhood obesity in Columbus, Georgia was heightened with a $25,000 grant that the Columbus Regional Cooks for Health program received from the Aetna Foundation on January 6.

The program, which includes a curriculum developed by local pediatricians and registered dieticians, will begin in March and offered to Columbus adolescents ages 10–18.

In the future, Columbus Regional will expand its program by developing a cooking education program for both children and their families.

Obesity in Georgia Children

Obesity in Georgia’s children and youth is a significant health problem. Childhood obesity can lead to early onset of serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity’s prevalence has doubled in the past 20 years among children ages 6–11, and more than tripled in adolescents ages 12-19. In Georgia, as many as one-fifth of youth in grades 3–12 are classified as obese.

For more information about the Columbus Regional Cooks for Health program, please call (706) 660-6372.

Click image to see more photos from the event!

Approximately 400 runners braved the chill and rain at the 10th Reindeer Run for KIDS in downtown Columbus, Georgia on December 12.

In the past 10 years, the Reindeer Run has raised more than $50,000.

Awards were given to top male and female finalists in each age category, ranging from pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade. Overall race results are also available online.

The Medical Center wishes to thank to all the runners, Country’s Barbecue, and our presenting sponsors:

• Neonatology Associates of Columbus
• Rivertown Pediatrics
• Circle K

For more information, please call Jennifer Joyner at (706) 660-6548.