HOLLYWOOD, FL--(Marketwire - Mar 7, 2012) - Last summer The Wasie Foundation, a private charitable foundation that supports nonprofit organizations focused on healthcare and education, pledged up to $2.5 million in matching funds to support the new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.
The Wasie Challenge was created to ensure Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation would achieve its capital campaign goal of raising $36 million for children's hospital. The grant, which will continue through July, 2012, matches dollar-for-dollar all new gifts and pledges to the Believe Capital Campaign starting at $20 and above, including increased sponsorship dollars from special events like the Memorial Classic and Tour de Broward.
The grant has been significant in encouraging others to give at all levels. "We would not be where we are today without The Wasie Foundations' extreme generosity and dedication," said Kevin Janser, vice president and executive director of the Memorial and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundations. "The new Wasie Surgical Suites at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, named in honor of one of our most generous contributors, will provide a wonderful resource for children and their families to receive the finest treatment possible and solidifies the hospital as the premiere children's healthcare facility in the region."
"The Wasie Foundation created this matching grant program in a way that allows every donation of $20 or more to make a significant impact," said Jen Klaassens, vice president of programs for The Wasie Foundation. "Our hope is to encourage as many people as possible to participate, and we're so pleased that it's working. Our goal all along has been not only to meet expectations but to hopefully surpass the capital campaign goal. Our aim was to set an example for corporate and individual giving, while supporting Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital's extraordinary quality of family-centered healthcare."
In 2007, The Wasie Foundation pledged $3 million to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation to complete The Wasie Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The largest facility of its kind in Broward County, the 64-bed NICU is equipped to handle Level II and Level III newborns.
About The Wasie Foundation
The Wasie Foundation (www.Wasie.org) is a private charitable foundation formed in 1966 by transportation industry pioneer Stanley Wasie and his wife, Marie. The Foundation was created to provide a lasting legacy for their family's philanthropic efforts. Since its inception, The Wasie Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in grants to publicly supported charities focused on healthcare and education. Recognized as an "Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation" by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Foundation solely funds section 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations.
About Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation raises money to help underwrite the cost of programs and equipment at the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, the leading children's hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Established in 1994, the Foundation provides philanthropic-based support that supplements revenues received by the Memorial Healthcare System. The Foundation serves as the central agency through which charitable contributions are made.
To learn more or to make a donation, call Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation at (954) 265-3454 or visit www.jdchfoundation.org.
Contact Information:
Diana Hanford
954-568-2100 x110
diana@ambitmarketing.com
