PHOENIX – U-Haul International Inc. was pleased to play a role in helping the third annual Ignite Hope candlelight walk to Phoenix Children’s Hospital achieve a record-breaking sum of donations.
The Dec. 13 walk had 2,053 people in attendance and raised $294,118.28. All of the donations went to benefit the patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
U-Haul donated two trucks that were utilized for the event. One of the trucks was used to transport items for the set-up. The second truck carried new Christmas toys to Phoenix Children’s Hospital that were distributed among the patients.
The event kicked off with family activities including: music, photos with Santa, meeting superheroes, face painting, and snacks and water. The Phoenix Suns Gorilla even came out to help spread cheer! Participants received a battery-operated candle for the 1.7-mile walk and were greeted by patients waving their candles from hospital windows.
Once everyone arrived at the hospital, a celebration took place with holiday carols and the lighting of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Christmas tree. Many walkers brought a new, unwrapped toy for patients, which Santa’s elves placed under the tree.
“Ignite Hope would not have been possible without the generous support of community partners and U-Haul Int’l,” Phoenix Children’s Hospital special events coordinator Patricia Barney said.
Would you like to learn more about the charities and organizations U-Haul supports? Visit us at http://www.uhaul.com/About/Philanthropy.aspx.