Welcome! Our children will always be first. The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is undergoing a $150 million renovation to support the vision of becoming a world class children’s hospital. Welcome to the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundations blog, a place to read about our programs and services, and our community partners that support us as we work to raise money for patient health and wellness programs and cutting edge medical technologies at the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa adult hospitals and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. We are two foundations under one roof – the Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation. While the Foundations have different needs and are governed by separate boards, both work toward a common goal – to do the best we can to help our hospitals provide the best possible care for our patients, regardless of their ability to pay. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System is the only faith-based, non-profit health system in San Antonio and New Braunfels. The Friends Foundation supports adult health and wellness by raising funds that assist uninsured patients, as well as support innovative programs and equipment at hospitals and regional health and wellness outreach programs in the South Texas Medical Center, at Westover Hills, and in New Braunfels. The Children’s Hospital Foundation supports The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, the only free-standing, academic pediatric hospital in south and central Texas and the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in San Antonio. Thanks to funding from the Friends Foundation, the Mobile Mammography (MMU) underwent an extensive upgrade in 2013. The MMU offers convenient and affordable breast cancer screenings for women who have difficulty accessing services due to lack of transportation, financial resources, cultural or other constraints. This is an exciting time for the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundations. Visit us often to read stories about our work, browse through photos, and hear the latest about what we’re doing to make a difference and how you can get involved.  We want to connect with you! You can find the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundations on Facebook and Twitter, or visit us at SantaRosaFoundation.org.  

Grateful for Your Generosity The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and plan for the upcoming year. During this time, we at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation and the Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation are specially grateful for your generous support throughout the year. Your generosity helps hospitalized patients throughout San Antonio and South Texas, patients like Mackenzie who will get to spend another Christmas at home with her family because of the care she received at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. See Mackenzie’s story. Remember, this is your last week to make your tax deductible year-end donation to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation or the Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation and we invite you to consider making your gift today. Your partnership and support is vital in enabling us to continue to provide care to those in need.

Early Pioneers in Philanthropy There is a long history of philanthropy with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, the founding congregation of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. One of the earliest and most legendary philanthropists was Sister Mary of Jesus Noirry. In the late 1800s, Sister Mary of Jesus traveled through San Antonio and surrounding towns and ranches to beg for money to help the children served at the Santa Rosa Infirmary and at St. Joseph’s Orphanage. Sisters, including Sister Mary of Jesus, regularly went out and begged for donations at local government offices, businesses, military posts and railroad construction sites. Sister Mary of Jesus was fearless in her travels and in her fundraising. She disguised her religious habit by donning an overcoat that reached to her ankles, boots and a broad-brimmed straw hat. Because the roads were often dangerous, she carried pistols for protection from wild animals and unruly encounters. As described by one of her traveling companions: “After tying the horses to the wagon, she would spread her blankets on the ground, say her night prayers, take out her pistols, and placing one of them at each side of her, at a convenient distance, she would lie down and sleep as peacefully as if she were in her bed.”1 Today, the generosity of our donors makes it possible for us to continue our mission and we thank our founding Congregation for paving the philanthropic way.   1 Promises to Keep, Vol. I, pgs. 35-36

Miracle Balloons Bring Hope and Healing to Local Kids Last year, CST Brands, Inc.’s Corner Store employees across the San Antonio market, including sub-markets in Laredo, Victoria and Del Rio, asked customers to purchase $1 or $5 Miracle Balloon icons to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® in the country and the only in our community. The month-long campaign raised $563,000! Like all Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraisers, the funds raised from Corner Store’s month-long campaign will help fund medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of millions of kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year. Corner Store has donated nearly $20 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since the partnership began in 1995. Donations given through the Children’s Miracle Network stay in our community, ensuring every dollar helps local children. Plans for this year are already underway and the dates for the campaign are set for October 1 – 31. So mark your calendar and join in the effort to bring hope and healing to kids in our community!

The Big Give S.A. Scheduled for May 5 On January 14, representatives from the Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation and the The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation attended a kickoff event for The Big Give S.A., along with more than 500 other attendees representing non-profits from across the San Antonio area. The Big Give S.A. is a 24-hour online giving day that will take place from midnight to midnight on Tuesday, May 5. The purpose is to increase public awareness and make an impact for local non-profits, ultimately addressing the needs in our community. Last year was San Antonio’s first year participating in the national giving day. The Big Give S.A. set a $1 million goal and blew it out of the water. Our community doubled that goal, raising $2.09 million for 467 agencies with 21,361 donations from every zip code in Bexar County. This year, The Big Give S.A. will expand to 11 surrounding counties with a goal of $3 million. Learn more about The Big Give S.A. via this video by our friends at Key Ideas.   The Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation are participating in The Big Give S.A. for the second consecutive year. We are excited to be part of such a profound movement, but even more excited for the opportunity to raise funds that will make a difference for the patients and families we are so honored to serve. We will share more information as the big giving day approaches, so please stay connected with us! Follow us on Twitter and be sure to “like” the Friends Foundation and the Children’s Foundation on Facebook.

Teed Off at Cancer and Party City Help Send Cancer Patients to Camp This fall, Teed off at Cancer, founded by Tom “T-Bone” and Jana Bounds, joined forces with Party City for a special cause – to make a difference in the lives of sick children. The duo held its first fundraiser with a goal to send pediatric cancer patients at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio to Camp Discovery, a children’s oncology camp that provides a fun and normal summer camp experience for children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Six San Antonio Party City locations and one store in Laredo collected donations at registers from generous Party City customers over the Halloween season. Together, their efforts raised more than $80,000 – providing enough funds to send 61 patients to camp. How incredible is that?! An official check presentation was held at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio yesterday, just in time for the 144th anniversary of the opening of the Santa Rosa Infirmary, the first hospital in San Antonio. Several members of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio medical staff have invested themselves in the mission of Camp Discovery, many of them using personal vacation time to attend the week-long summer camp each year as medical volunteers. Their ongoing commitment to Camp Discovery is a testament of the value of the program and the physical and emotional healing power it can create for sick children. Many of the great things we see happening in our community today start with an idea and the passion to make a difference. Every action causes a reaction and we are blessed to have supporters, like Teed Off at Cancer and Party City, who are willing and generous enough to give of their time, talents and efforts to help others. As we move into the new year, we reflect on our blessing from 2013 and thank our donors and community partners for their continued support. In 2014, we will continue to provide comprehensive and innovative services to all the patients we serve. We are deeply and permanently committed to the mission and responsibility of providing care to those in need. Remember, December is the last month to make your tax deductible year-end donation to the The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation or the Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation and we invite you to consider making your gift today. Your partnership and support is vital in enabling us to continue to provide care in San Antonio and South Texas. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

S.A. Corner Stores Help Make Miracles This Summer Beginning June 1, CST Brands, Inc.’s Corner Stores throughout San Antonio, TX are helping make miracles happen for pediatric patients by raising needed charitable funds for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). During the month of June, Corner Store employees will ask customers to purchase $1 or $5 Miracle Balloon icons to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Customers can also purchase a special CMNH bracelet for $1, or donate their spare change. Last year, Corner Store raised a record $2.35 million to benefit kids living in the communities they serve. Locally, the month-long campaign raised $563,000 to support the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Like all Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraisers, the funds raised from Corner Store’s month-long campaign will help fund medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of millions of kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year. After spinning off from Valero on May 1, 2013, CST Brands, Inc., parent company of Corner Store, continues to be a leader in each community they operate in their efforts to support local children. Corner Store has donated nearly $20 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since the partnership began in 1995.

Kohl’s Cares Makes a Difference for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Kohl’s Associates recently presented the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio with a grant for $112,529 for the Pediatric Mobile Clinic to help with free immunizations to children in our community. The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio’s Pediatric Mobile Clinic provides comprehensive pediatric primary care, including well child examinations, immunizations, early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment services, treatment of minor illnesses, referral and linkages to specialty care, education, assistance in applying for Medicaid and CHIP, and prescription assistance. With the support of Kohl’s Department Stores, the Pediatric Mobile Clinic has implemented the Kohl’s Immunization Program to increase the immunization rates among children in our community. “Our goal with this program is to link every child in our target area to a medical care, reduce emergency room visits, increase immunization rates and increase knowledge of health topics and healthy behaviors for families,” said Dr. Mark Gilger, pediatrician in chief, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. “Our partnership with Kohl’s helps us deliver these services throughout our community.” Since 2001, Kohl’s has donated more than $1.2 million to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Kohl’s commitment to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys, with 100 percent of net profit benefiting children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one.

‘Tis the season of giving! As we celebrate the joyous and sacred Christmas season, we invite you help make the holidays a little merrier for thousands of children and families we serve at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Here’s how you can help make a difference before we wrap up 2014: Miracle Bears – This holiday season, all four Chico’s FAS brands (Chico’s, White House | Black Market, Soma Intimates and Boston Proper) are selling Miracle Bears for the first time! Each Miracle Bear retails for $25, with $15 from each sale benefiting the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Chico’s Fundraiser – In addition to Miracle Bear sales, Chico’s at the Alamo Quarry Market (255 E. Basse, Ste. 814) will host a special fundraiser on Wednesday, December 10. Shop between 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. and 10% of your purchase amount will be donated to the children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Get your holiday shopping done while making a difference for local sick and injured kids! Wheel of Fortune Secret Santa Sweepstakes –Tune in to Wheel of Fortune beginning December 8 – 19 for the Secret Santa Sweepstakes and watch for your Spin ID – you can win big for yourself and for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio! Learn more here: https://wof.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/ Vote for Your Children’s Hospital – CU Direct is donating $20,000 toa Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMN) Hospital that YOU help select. As the only CMN Hospital in our community, the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is in the running and we need your help! Please take a moment to vote once a day through December 22. The hospital with the most votes wins!  Vote here: http://www.cudirect.com/cudirect20/ Make Santa’s “Nice” List:  Our friends at North Star Mall and the Shops at La Cantera are collecting funds this holiday season to benefit the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Donation cards are available at each Santa set now through Christmas. Stop by the Santa set at either mall to make your contribution! Shop Kohl’s Cares Merchandise: You can make a difference for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio by shopping Kohl’s Cares Merchandise. Take home your very own Disney-themed plush animals and books (just $5 each!) and 100% of proceeds will benefit local sick and injured kids. Shop in-store or online at kohls.com/cares. Can’t make it? There’s still time to make your year-end gift. To donate in support of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, visit www.ChildrensHospitalSAFoundation.org.

Kohl’s Cares Immunization Program With the support of Kohl’s Department Store, the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Mobile Clinic has implemented the Kohl’s Cares Immunization Program to increase the immunization rates among children served by Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.  These immunization efforts take place in the community and in the school setting; all with the goal of ending vaccine-preventable diseases. Through its Kohl’s Cares® programs, Kohl’s strives to be an active member of each community where they do business.  Throughout the year, Kohl’s Stores sell special Kohl’s Cares® merchandise with net profits benefiting children’s health and educational opportunities. In partnership with over 160 hospitals from coast to coast, they create and support programs and initiatives that better the lives of children in local communities and beyond. To help support this effort, bring home Peanuts plush, books and more for just $5 each. 100 percent of the net profit goes to kids’ health and education initiatives nationwide. Locally, funds benefit the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Mobile Clinic. Shop in-store or online at kohls.com/cares through December 26.