Proceeds from holiday events raise funds for new CHKD service
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – The King’s Daughters, founding organization of Children’s Hospital of The King's Daughters, has pledged $1 million to support CHKD's new behavioral health program. Proceeds from two upcoming events, Breakfast with Santa and Moonlight and Mistletoe, will go toward the $1 million pledge.
CHKD's new behavioral health program is being developed to meet a significant and growing need in our community. Over the past ten years, the number of patients admitted to children's hospitals for suicidal thoughts or self-harm has more than doubled, and more American children die from suicide than from cancer, cardiovascular disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke and chronic lung disease combined. Mirroring these national statistics, CHKD and its affiliated primary care pediatric practices have experienced a surge in demand for pediatric mental health care.
In response to this need, CHKD's new Behavioral Health program provides outpatient therapy and supportive services for children in crisis as well as those who are coping with serious medical conditions along with behavioral health issues. Additional funds from The King's Daughters will enable the program to help more children in need of behavioral health care.
"Faced with the compelling needs of our region’s children, the members of The King’s Daughters decided to act, pledging $1 million to help expand and strengthen CHKD's behavioral health program," says Elly Smith, President of The King's Daughters.
“Since 1896, The King's Daughters have led the way when it comes to pediatric care in our community," says Jim Dahling, President and CEO of CHKD Health System. "They are always the first to recognize and respond to the needs of our children. This pledge follows a long history of advocacy and action, and we are immensely grateful to them."
Information about The King's Daughters holiday fundraising events follows below:
Breakfast with Santa, presented in conjunction with Busch Gardens Christmas Town, will feature children's activities, an interactive train display, a silent auction of trees and the opportunity to make a handmade gift for a patient at CHKD. The event will take place November 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, 235 E. Main Street in downtown Norfolk. Tickets are $25 and include a buffet breakfast and a digital photo with Santa. Tickets may be purchased online at kingsdaughters.org or by calling 757-668-7098.
The King's Daughters' signature holiday gala, Moonlight and Mistletoe, will take place Saturday, December 2, from 6 p.m. to midnight, at The Main, 100 E. Main Street in downtown Norfolk. This elegant, high-energy event begins with cocktails and networking, followed by dinner and dancing to Strictly Bizzness, and a unique silent and live auction of luxury packages. Sponsorship packages and corporate tables including a variety of special benefits such as overnight accommodations at The Main are available. Individual tickets are $150 per person. Sponsorships, tables and tickets may be purchased online at kingsdaughters.org or by calling 757-668-7098.
About CHKD
CHKD is Virginia’s only freestanding, full-service children’s hospital and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. CHKD Health System operates primary care pediatric practices, surgical practices, multi-service Health Centers and satellite offices throughout its service region.
About The King’s Daughters
The King’s Daughters is a charitable organization that has worked to improve the quality of life for children in our region since 1896. The organization grew from a single nurse who rode a bike around Norfolk to care for sick children, to a series of clinics, to the establishment of Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in 1961. Today, The King's Daughters still have more than 1,000 members who support Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters through fundraising, volunteerism, leadership and advocacy. For more information, visit kingsdaughters.org.