Burlington, Vt. – Big Change Roundup for Kids (BCRU), radio station 98.9 WOKO’s annual campaign supporting the family-centered care delivered every day at Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health hosted an emotional finale event on Friday, bringing together volunteers, businesses, and individual donors to raise $319,693 that will directly support pediatric patients and families.

With 98.9 WOKO broadcasting live from the main lobby, donors and special guests joined radio personality “Wild Bill” Sargent on-air, to speak about the hospital’s impact on patients and families and the importance of family-centered care that forms the foundation of the annual campaign.

“Thirty-two years ago I came into this community because I discovered what you all already knew: the passion, commitment and dedication and spirit of collaboration that reflects how deeply everyone cares about our children,” said Dr. First. “I can’t think of a better expression of the spirit of collaboration than Big Change Roundup for Kids. That’s exactly what this community is all about. It is simply amazing to see everybody come together for our kids.”

As the tally continued to rise throughout Friday morning, Stephen Leffler, MD, chief executive officer of University of Vermont Health and president of University of Vermont Medical Center, stopped by to share his thanks and support for the hospital and donors who make the campaign a success every year.

“This is all that’s good about Vermont. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our communities,” said Dr. Leffler of the impact of community support for the children’s hospital. “You make all the difference in our children’s care. The things we’re able to offer allow our children and families to stay local and get life-changing care here.”

Dr. Lewis First Delivers Final BCRU Radio Remarks

In an emotional message to listeners, donors and members of the hospital’s pediatric care teams, Lewis First, MD, chief of Pediatrics at Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health, delivered his final radio address in support of Big Change Roundup for Kids.

Dr. First, who is the nation’s longest-serving chair of Pediatrics and has led the children’s hospital for more than 30 years, will retire at the end of June.

“This is our children’s hospital, and this is for all of us and about all of us,” said Dr. First. “Even though my time co-hosting Big Change Roundup is ending, I’m going to continue to be a part of making sure this community has what it needs for our children. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

His successor, Judy Schaechter, MD, was on hand for a live “hand off” from Dr. First. She called the annual campaign an expression of the hospital’s impact on families and communities across Vermont and northern New York.

“This is an amazing event that showcases the connections and support for our children’s hospital across Vermont and northern New York,” said Dr. Schaechter. “No one can fill Dr. First’s shoes; I cannot replace what he does. But I know he has a phenomenal team around him at Golisano Children’s Hospital, and I’m honored to join them and to partner with all of you to do what we need to make sure kids get the care, compassion and support they deserve.”

Inaugural Victory for Kids Award Goes to Longtime BCRU Supporter

Also on Friday, organizers surprised a mother and longtime BCRU supporter with the inaugural Victory for Kids Award. Amie Vradenburg, who has worked in support of BCRU and Children’s Miracle Network since 2009, received the award in honor of her work raising more than $208,000 in support of the hospital.

Vradenburg, whose daughter Billie Joe passed away in 2022, has hosted events in support of the hospital for more than 15 years, sharing her family’s experiences receiving care and encouraging schools and her community to get involved.

“I’m humbled and very grateful,” said Vradenburg. “This is for Billie Joe and Sue, who was super-sweet, so helpful and very nice.”

The Victory for Kids Award is named in honor of Susan Victory, a children’s services professional who worked at what was then called UVM Children’s Hospital for nearly 44 years, retiring in 2021 as senior administrative coordinator for the hospital. Victory, who dedicated her career to the safety and well-being of children, also served for 13 years as a board member for KidSafe Collaborative. She passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2025.

To learn more about Big Change Roundup for Kids, visit: www.BigChangeRoundup.org

Golisano Children’s Hospital
111 Colchester Ave.
Burlington, VT 05405

University of Vermont Health
40 IDX Drive
South Burlington, VT 05403

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About Golisano Children’s Hospital at University of Vermont Health

From the maternity unit to the emergency department and from our Children’s Specialty Center to our pediatric primary care clinics, Golisano Children’s Hospital at University of Vermont Health offers a welcoming child and family-friendly atmosphere with high-quality pediatric care. In partnership with University of Vermont Medical Center, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health 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 www.uvmhealth.org/childrens or contact us at 802-847-0000.

About University of Vermont Health

University of Vermont Health is a rural academic health system with more than 100 years of service to small towns and cities across Vermont and northern New York. We are deeply committed to reimagining rural health in ways that will benefit our communities for generations to come and keep exceptional care close to home. Our system includes an academic medical center, two community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a children’s hospital, a cancer center, a multispecialty medical group, 154 outpatient sites and care beyond the hospital through home health, hospice care, four skilled nursing facilities and other support services. Our care is informed by an essential partnership with University of Vermont’s The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Together, as a health system serving a rural area, we are tackling health care’s biggest challenges — supporting the communities we serve and investing in our employees by addressing housing affordability, quality childcare and professional development needs. To learn more, visit us at www.uvmhealth.org.