Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Receives Over $33,000 From Spirit of Children

Representatives from Spirit of Children visited Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) to hand over a check to the hospital on Jan. 31. Spirit Stores raised $33,745 for the hospital through their annual Spirit of Children in-store fundraiser, which took place in all of their Southern California stores throughout the Fall 2013 season. “Spirit Stores have done so much for our kids,” said Dorothy Brooks, from LLUCH Child Life. “Because of their generosity our patients are able to enjoy a Fall Festival celebration and numerous other activities giving them the opportunity to feel like normal kids.” Funds donated by Spirit go directly to Child Life Services, which is made up of specialists who work closely with the young patients at LLUCH to give them emotional support, minimize their fears, and provide activities for them so they will have a more comfortable experience while receiving medical care. “It’s not easy to raise money, but we set goals for our stores and do anything we can to get those donations in,” said Alta Miller, manager at Spirit in Moreno Valley. “It’s exciting to compete with our neighboring stores.” Spirit Stores have donated nearly $160,000 to LLUCH over the past four years. The stores that participated in the fundraiser specifically for LLUCH included San Bernardino, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Ontario, Hemet, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Palm Desert and Victorville. Spirit customers were encouraged to donate funds to support LLUCH upon checkout. Spirit stores in other areas also held fundraisers for other hospitals.