GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $70,000 FOR ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER’S NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Funds from the golf tournament hosted by Variety the Children’s Charity of Southern California will be used to purchase two Giraffe Infant Warmers
LOS ANGELES, November 12, 2009 — Entertainment industry supporters and many of Variety – the Children’s Charity’s primary sponsors gathered on October 22 at Robinson Ranch Golf Course for the 38th annual Golf Classic Tournament in Santa Clarita. Supporters at the event helped raise $70,000 that will directly benefit St. Francis Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Funds will be used to purchase two life-saving Giraffe Infant Warmers.
St. Francis Medical Center is able to provide life-saving care for premature babies by utilizing these warmers to provide a protective, controlled environment allowing premature babies to grow and gain strength. “St. Francis Medical Center treated 732 newborns in its neonatal intensive care unit last year,” said Gerald Kozai, President/CEO of St. Francis Medical Center. “Through this grant and the ongoing support we receive from Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California, we are able to couple advanced neonatal equipment and technology with dedicated, compassionate care from our team of doctors and nurses to help ensure that the tiniest life entrusted to our care receives the best start in life for a full and healthy future.”
Since its inception in 1971, the Golf Classic has raised over $1.5 million to help fund scholarships and other charitable programs. Principal sponsors included digital industry leaders CRI Certified Reports, Texas Instruments DLP Cinema® and DOLBY. These technology leaders in the entertainment industry play an active role in benefiting the leading children’s charity in Southern California.
The Southern California Chapter of Variety – the Children’s Charity was formed in 1941. In November 2005, the charity launched www.ebay.com/varietyskids and has raised over $850,000 by auctioning off pieces of Hollywood memorabilia, including tickets to the premiere of “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” shirts worn by the stars of “Brokeback Mountain,” and other signed movie memorabilia. In 2008, Keira Knightly’s green dress from “Atonement” sold for $35,000 in a clothesoffourback.com auction that benefited Variety – the Children’s Charity of Southern California and most recently, a suit worn by actor Sean Penn in the Oscar-winning MILK raised over $12,000 for the charity. Proceeds from the auctions go directly to helping children in the Southern California community.
St. Francis Medical Center is committed to improving the health of children and their families in South East Los Angeles. Established in 1945, the medical center is the only comprehensive, non-profit health care institution serving this region and provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for 700,000 adults and 300,000 children.
The Mission of Variety – The Children’s Charity is to provide life-saving and life-enriching assistance to abused, addicted, physically-challenged, neglected, and/or underprivileged children throughout Southern California. We pride ourselves on being able to modify our agenda in order to meet the evolving conditions encompassing our region – addressing each case in a timely, impartial manner. Please visit www.varietysocal.org for more information.
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California – Chapter 25 is the local chapter of an expansive global network, Variety International – The Children’s Charity, that assists afflicted children that have nowhere else to turn. Today, there are 49 Chapters, in 13 nations, serving children in need therein helping to better their quality of life. Since 1927, worldwide, we have raised over $1 billion to aid our special needs kids.
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California Chapter 25
4601 Wilshire Blvd. – Suite 260
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel.: (323) 655-1547
Fax: (323) 658-8789