UNF students raise mega funds for CMN Hospitals

A Dance Marathon at the University of North Florida (UNF) raised $38,385.26 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at its ninth annual 12 hour and 9-minute event to raise runds and awareness for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville.  The marathon took place on Saturday, April 1, 2017.  Proceeds will benefit the two local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals - Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville.

In honor of all children being treated at the local CMN Hospitals, students stood on their feet for 12 hours and 9 minutes.  The 12 hours signify the typical shift of dedicated hospital staff while the 9 minutes tributes the event’s ninth year in the Jacksonville community.  To keep dancers motivated, miracle children impacted by the hospitals made special visits throughout the day to share their unique journey and interact with all participants.  There were games, entertainment and, of course, dancing!

The week prior, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Club at Ponte Vedra High School hosted its second annual Dance Marathon in the school gym.  Planned by a philanthropic focused committee made up of various high school students and led by overall chair, Hays Molm, this five-and-a-half-hour event raised $8,004.75!

Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement involving college and high school students at more than 300 schools. These students spend a year learning invaluable leadership and life skills while raising funds and interacting with children’s hospital patients and families. More students participate in Dance Marathon than any other student-led philanthropy in the United States. Since its founding in 1991, this movement has raised more than $80 million for CMN Hospitals.

UNF students host Dance Marathon benefiting CMN Hospitals

Former UNF Dance Marathoners

Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to participate in a 12 Hour and 9-minute Dance Marathon. University of North Florida (UNF) will be hosting its ninth annual event on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 10:09 p.m. at the UNF Field House.  Proceeds benefit the two local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals - Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville. 
 

To honor all children being treated at the local CMN Hospitals, students will stay on their feet for 12 hours and 9 minutes.  The 12 hours signify the typical shift of dedicated hospital staff while the 9 minutes tributes the event’s ninth year in the Jacksonville community.  To keep dancers motivated, miracle children impacted by the hospitals will make special visits throughout the day to share their unique journey and interact with all participants.  There will also be games, entertainment and, of course, dancing!

Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. and are free and open to the public.  After 11 a.m., visitors are asked to donate $5 per hour at the door to CMN Hospitals.  The event concludes in a symbolic closing ceremony with miracle children cutting off the dancers’ ID bands beginning at 9:30 p.m.  You can register to participate or to donate HERE!

Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement involving college and high school students at more than 300 schools.  These students spend a year learning invaluable leadership and life skills while raising funds and interacting with children’s hospital patients and families.  More students participate in Dance Marathon than any other student-led philanthropy in the United States.  Since its founding in 1991, this movement has raised more than $80 million for CMN Hospitals.

About Unf Dance Marathon: Started at the University of North Florida in 2008, UNF Dance Marathon team and students have raised more than $160,000 for CMN Hospitals.  All of the funds raised by the students stays local at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville.  UNF Dance Marathon’s motto: “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” especially when it is “FTK-For The Kids!”

About Children’s Miracle Network-Jacksonville: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of all children by raising funds and awareness for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville. A founding principle of CMN Hospitals is that all funds raised in a community stay in that community. Therefore, all donations made in Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia are used to purchase medical equipment, child life activities and educational resources for both local pediatric programs.

IHOP free Pancakes fund raiser in its 12th year

Once again it’s time to enjoy a family breakfast (any time of the day) and donate to an annual worthy cause.  Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia IHOP restaurants will offer each guest a free short stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes on Tuesday, March 7, 2015 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in celebration of National Pancake Day.  In return, guests are asked to help make a difference by leaving a donation of any size (on-the website or in-restaurant) with all funds going to their area’s children’s hospital. This year marks the 12th anniversary of this family-friendly tradition, which raises funds and awareness for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.

Now through March 7, guests visiting any IHOP restaurants in the U.S. can help reach an ambitious $3.5 million goal by purchasing a “Miracle Balloon” to publicly pledge support or donate on check. Select IHOP restaurants will be offering a discount coupon that can be used on a future visit with the purchase of a special balloon icon.

Since launching in 2006, IHOP National Pancake Day has become a pop-culture phenomenon with millions of guests and communities helping IHOP and its franchisees raise $24 million to-date for youth health and wellness organizations. All of the money raised on IHOP National Pancake Day stays local and directly helps children in need.

Stop in to these local IHOP restaurants and support CMN Hospitals Jax:

DATE: Tuesday, March 7, 2017

TIMES: all day from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

LOCATIONS: IHOP Restaurants

      7940 103rd St. JAX, FL 32210

      8400 Baymeadows Rd. JAX, FL 32256

      315 Blanding Blvd. JAX, FL 32073

      9010 Atlantic Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32211

      3322 US 90 West Lake City, FL 32055

      2560 State Rd. 16 St. Augustine, FL 32092

      1825 East/West Parkway Fleming Island, FL 32003

      1350 S. Walnut St. Starke, FL 32091

      1160 Boone Ave. Kingsland, GA 31548

      5031 New Jesup Hwy. Brunswick, GA 31520

For more information on IHOP National Pancake Day, or to learn more about CMN Hospitals and make an online donation, visit www.IHOPPancakeDay.com.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals 2016 'Gaming' results

2016 Gamers on a mission

Game lovers of all levels and categories (console, mobile, PC, table-top, etc.), joined together for a 24-hour marathon on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, to save and improve the lives of children living in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.  Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) program, is a nation-wide fundraising phenomenon that adds a life-saving purpose to playing video, board and lawn games.

In the Jacksonville/Brunswick community, gamers raised $16,982 to purchase life-saving medical equipment, educational resources and child-life activities for local CMN Hospitals – Wolfson Children’s Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville. Children who spend time in these hospitals enjoy gaming as a distraction from their medical challenges and Extra Life honors that joy.

Either playing solo or on a team, marathon participants invited friends and family to donate toward their personal fundraising page, often sharing their story and connection to the cause. Some players even broadcast their efforts via live stream to encourage their fans around the world to make a contribution.

While many completed the marathon from home, the Jacksonville Guild hosted a 12 hour live game day marathon in the UNF Student Union Ballroom and encouraged participants to bring out their consoles, PCs and tabletop sets. The event included a live gaming stream and interactive entertainment opportunities while showcasing local families who have been impacted by CMN Hospitals’ funds.

Preparations are being made for the 2017 event.  Interested gamers can follow Extra Life Team Jax on Facebook or sign up at www.Extra-Life.org for next year’s event.

Children's Miracle Network to benefit from local Gamers

Local gamers of all levels and from all categories — console, mobile, PC, table-top, etc. — are uniting for one cause on Saturday, November 5: to save and improve the lives of kids treated at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville.  Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) fundraising program, provides game-loving locals a fun way to support children in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Participants sign up for the 24-hour gaming marathon and invite friends, family and fans to make a donation. The official Game Day is Nov. 5, but participants may complete their 24 hours of play whenever and however they like: all in one day, one hour a day for 24 days, etc. Players may also participate solo or on teams.

While this marathon can be accomplished from the comforts of the couch, the Jacksonville Guild is inviting participants to bring out their consoles or tabletop sets and join fellow game enthusiasts at any of the below locations. All those who would like to attend, must register HERE.

Jacksonville Gaming Locations:
UNF Student Ballroom – 12 Hour Marathon
    11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Set-up begins at 10 a.m.

Microsoft Store - 2 to 5 p.m.
St Johns Town Center
    4791 River City Dr #113
    A full list of special gaming opportunities can be found on the CMN Jax website

Chicago Pizza After Party - Midnight
    The Jacksonville Landing
    2 Independent Dr.

“Extra Life introduced us to a new audience that continues to astound us with their passion for giving back,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “As one of our fastest growing programs, Extra Life is making a big impact on children’s hospitals, and individual gamers are making countless miracles happen for local kids and families.”

Last year’s event raised $33,842 for the local hospitals and helped purchase life-saving medical equipment, child life materials and educational resources for nurses and doctors. Interested participants can register at Extra-Life.org, select Wolfson Children’s Hospital or UF Health Jacksonville as their preferred CMN Hospital, set a fundraising goal and collect donations throughout the year for kids in need. Learn more about the local CMN Hospital and how donations are saving kids’ lives at Children’s Miracle Network.