After the launch of tween retailer Justice’s “Give Hope” national store campaign in February, the fundraising effort raised $521,315.82 during a six-week period benefitting The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In three years since the “Give Hope” campaign was established, the specialty retailer has raised more than $1.5 million dollars for the hospital. In all, more than 1,000 Justice retail stores across the country participated in the campaign. In addition to making a donation at the time of purchase, Justice customers also had an opportunity to give a gift online.
“Everyone at Nationwide Children’s is grateful for this partnership with Justice,” said Jim Digan, president of Nationwide Children’s Foundation. “In just three years, Justice has helped us raise more than $1.5 million dollars to support pediatric research that improves lives throughout the country and the world. I have been lucky enough to visit quite a few Justice retailers and the amount of enthusiasm, dedication, and professionalism I see at every single store is truly impressive. This campaign is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when we come together to help children and families that we will never meet, but who we can still help.”
In addition to Justice’s support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and pediatric healthcare research, the tween retailer continues to empower tween-age girls, focusing on a strong sense of self.
“We take pride in providing the hottest fashions for our tween girl, as well as honoring her ‘Live Justice’ values that are truly at the foundation of a happy, healthy, empowered, and confident lifestyle,” said Justice CEO Brian Lynch. “The “Give Hope” campaign helps us raise awareness about the great services our friends at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provide to our tween girl, and to kids across the nation and around the world. We’re proud of this partnership and grateful to our customers for their support.”
Makaila Manley – Age 8, from Grove City, Ohio
For the six-week Justice “Give Hope” campaign, Makaila Manley and her mother, Mindi, graciously shared Makaila’s story of living with Spina Bifida.
Nearly 20 weeks pregnant, Mindi learned 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 made her the perfect ambassador for the Justice “Give Hope” national campaign.
Dr. Steve Allen of Nationwide Children's Hospital and Jim Digan of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation accept a check from Chris Kaighn, Justice Senior Vice President of Stores & Operations, following the tween retailer's six-week national store campaign benefiting the hospital.
About Justice
Justice, a division of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ-ASNA), is the largest tween lifestyle specialty retailer in the world. Known as the premier destination for fashion-aware tweens, Justice provides the hottest fashion merchandise and accessories for tween girls, ages 7–14. Justice celebrates tween girls through an extraordinary experience of fashion and fun in an everything-for-her destination. Today, Justice operates over 950 stores throughout the United States and Canada, along with an international presence in Asia, Mexico, Latin America, and the Middle East. Visit shopjustice.com for store information and to shop online.
About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2015-16 list of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare system 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 more than 10,000 employees providing state-of-the-art pediatric care during more than 1.2 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.