Big Change Roundup Raises Over $330,000 To Support Patient Care at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital

Highlights

• Largest fundraiser of the year for UVM Children’s Hospital
• Thousands of volunteers throughout the region participate
• Funds used to purchase special equipment and support Child Life program

Burlington, VT - The annual “Big Change Roundup for Kids” raised $331,757.12 to support specialized care provided at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital.  The Roundup is the largest fundraiser each year for the hospital, and this is the largest preliminary total in the 13-year history of the event, outpacing last year’s mark of $314,600.

The three-month long coin collecting campaign is a joint project of the UVM Children’s Hospital and 98.9 WOKO-FM with support from hundreds of local businesses and community groups, and thousands of volunteers from throughout the region. Key sponsors this year include Maplefields, New England Federal Credit Union, Walmart, TC’s RV’s, The Edge Kids and Fitness, and McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli Meats.

“We are so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from people of all ages throughout Vermont and northern New York,” said Lewis First, M.D., chief of pediatrics at The UVM Children’s Hospital. “It’s a wonderful reflection of the commitment this region has to providing the best possible health care for children.”

“This event is something that’s very special to us,” said “Wild Bill” Sargent, co-host of the Morning Roundup on 98.9 WOKO.  “We’re really proud of helping to raise such a large amount of money and really grateful for the thousands of people who get involved to make a real difference in the lives of the children cared for at UVM Children’s Hospital.”

Money was raised in a wide variety of ways from door to door campaigns, school events, dance marathons and daily collections at businesses throughout the region. This year’s top fundraiser was 13-year old Victoria Reed of Alburgh, who supervised a team that raised more than $32,000.

Because donations will continue to come in after today’s final event, a revised total will be released in several weeks. 

Visit www.bigchangeroundup.org for more information.

About The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital

From the maternity unit to the emergency department and from our Children’s Specialty Center to our pediatric primary care clinics, The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital offers a welcoming child and family-friendly atmosphere with high-quality pediatric care. In partnership with The University of Vermont Medical Center, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital delivers expert care grounded in the latest research to residents throughout Vermont and northern New York. It is fully accredited by the Children’s Hospital Association. For more information please visit the UVM Children's Hospital or contact us at 802-847-0000.

Caption Info:  Lewis First, MD, chief of Pediatrics at the UVM Children’s Hospital and staff from WOKO-FM reveal the preliminary total in the Big Change Roundup for Kids.  Hundreds of schools, businesses, community groups and individuals from throughout Vermont and northern New York work for three months to collect tons of coins in support of programs and services at the hospital.