For the third-consecutive year, tween retailer Justice (an Ascena Retail Group, Inc. company) will launch a national fundraising effort in their stores to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The “Give Hope” campaign will begin Feb. 26 and will run through April 10 in stores across the country.
Justice customers will be encouraged to make a donation at the time of their purchase during the six-week campaign. Donations may also be made online at shopjustice.com/donations beginning Feb. 26.
“We at Nationwide Children’s are extremely humbled and grateful for the continued enthusiasm and support of Justice,” said Jim Digan, president of the Nationwide Children’s Foundation. “I have had the opportunity to visit many of the Justice retailers throughout the country, and the associates and customers’ compassion and generosity comes as no surprise.”
Last spring, behind the thoughtfulness of associates and customers at more than 1,000 Justice retail stores across the country, $535,369 was raised during a four-week period. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital was the beneficiary of the donation in 2015. The specialty retailer has raised more than $1 million dollars on behalf of the hospital since the partnership between Justice and Nationwide Children’s was first established three years ago.
In addition to Justice and Nationwide Children’s collaborating to support pediatric healthcare research, both organizations will continue to empower tween-age girls, focusing on a strong sense of self.
“Our partnership with Nationwide Children’s is a point of pride for our entire associate population,” said Justice CEO Brian Lynch. “The Give Hope campaign is a wonderful opportunity for us to give back and support the health and well-being of our tween customer—and children of all ages. With a giving customer who joins us in wanting to make a difference in the lives of young people, we remain committed to supporting the mission of this amazing hospital and its staff.”
Makaila Manley – Age 8, from Grove City, Ohio
When Makaila’s mother, Mindi, was about 20 weeks pregnant, she found out her daughter had Spina Bifida during what was initially a routine ultrasound. There is no cure for Spina Bifida and treatments include surgery, supportive therapies and the prevention and treatment of associated challenges. In the first few days of Makaila’s life she underwent two surgeries:
spinal closure and shunt placement. Since then, Makaila has undergone multiple hospitalizations and surgeries.
Today, Makaila is enjoying life – singing, painting pictures and laughing. And when she is making visits to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for her care, Makaila focuses on the other children she meets, greeting them with a warm smile, even if it is in passing. She is most happy when she makes others happy. Makaila’s touching reserve and empathy makes her the perfect ambassador for the Justice “Give Hope” national campaign.
About Justice
Headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, Justice is part of The Ascena Retail Group, Inc. As the largest premier tween specialty retailer in the world, Justice provides the hottest fashion merchandise and accessories for tween (age 7-14) girls. Over 950 Justice stores are located throughout the United States. Justice also offers fashions to tween girls through its e-commerce site, shopjustice.com.
About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Ranked 9th of only 12 children’s hospitals on U.S. News & World Report’s 2015-16 “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare networks providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease. Nationwide Children’s has a medical staff of 1,100 and nearly 10,000 employees providing state-of-the-art pediatric care for one 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 Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. Nationwide Children’s remains true to the original mission since its founding in 1892 of providing care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. More information is available at nationwidechildrens.org.