Hundreds of central Ohio companies have joined Columbus Children’s Hospital’s new Business Buddy program – a giving program that also offers public recognition for all corporate supporters of Children’s.
Launched in the fall of 2004, the Business Buddy program helps participating companies realize the benefits that come with involving their customers and employees in supporting an invaluable community resource.
“Our customers appreciate that we’re a Business Buddy of Children’s Hospital,” said Randy Sokol, president of Tee Jaye’s Country Place Restaurants. “They feel that by coming to our restaurants, they are in some small way helping sick kids in the community. Our employees look forward to fundraising for Children’s every year. You can’t live or work in Central Ohio and not be touched by the work of Columbus Children’s. Becoming a Business Buddy is our way of giving back.”
Mom and Pop shops and large corporations alike have joined the program, bringing the hospital’s message of hope to their customers and employees, and in return, Children’s offers businesses marketing opportunities that allow them to publicize their good works. It’s a combination that helps to raise much needed funds for the hospital while showcasing the best of corporate philanthropy.
Last year alone, Columbus Children’s spent nearly $50 million for free care, costs not covered by Medicaid, and other unreimbursed expenses. Since Children’s promise is to treat all kids regardless of ability to pay, gifts from donors are critical.
“The business community in Central Ohio has always been supportive of Children’s Hospital,” said Thomas Hansen, MD, Children’s CEO. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our launch of the Business Buddy program. Each company that signs on helps us to continue our life-saving work and we are delighted to be able to give back to our corporate partners by helping them with their marketing efforts.”
To learn more about becoming a Columbus Children’s Hospital Business Buddy, please call Jennifer Masters at (614) 722-2977.
Hundreds of Central Ohio Companies Team Up With Children's Hospital to Help Kids:
May 23, 2005
About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 14,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.7 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.