The Wasie Foundation Creates $2.5 Million Challenge Grant for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

HOLLYWOOD, FL--(Marketwire - Jul 6, 2011) - The Wasie Foundation and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation announce the creation of a $2.5 million matching challenge grant that will raise funds for the new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, slated to open July 21st.

The Wasie Foundation Challenge for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital will match dollar-for-dollar all new gifts and pledges starting at $20 and above from June 2011 through July 2012. New and incremental increases for event sponsorship dollars will also be matched from special events, including the Diamond Angels Fairy Tale Ball, Memorial Classic and Tour de Broward.

The Wasie Foundation created the new matching challenge grant to ensure Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation achieves the Capital Campaign goal of raising $36 million for the new children's hospital. Currently, $32 million has been raised; the additional funds will ensure that the goal will be surpassed.

"The Wasie Foundation is pleased to support Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital given the extraordinary quality of family-centered healthcare it provides to its young patients and their families," said Jen Klaassens, vice president of programs for The Wasie Foundation. "We've constructed this program in a way that allows for everyone to make a significant impact in the lives of those who need it most. Our hope is that by matching all donations of $20 or more, people will be encouraged to participate, knowing that each contribution will be doubled."

In 2008-2009, The Wasie Foundation contributed $3 million to Joe DiMaggio Children's Foundation. The funds were used 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 cases.

"We are grateful for the continued support of The Wasie Foundation," said Kevin Janser, vice president and executive director of the Memorial and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundations. "The Wasie NICU at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital has become a leading edge facility that helps save the lives of prematurely born babies each and every day. With the new Wasie Foundation Challenge and the philanthropic support from the South Florida community, the new Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital will be able to do even more as the premier children's healthcare facility in the region."

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 make a donation, call Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation at (954) 265-3454 or visit www.jdchf.org.