MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- FedExFamilyHouse, a home away from home to out-of-town
families of patients at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, will expand
to triple its size by year 2018. A fundraising campaign, "Building
on the Promise," has been launched to raise the $12 million construction cost of expansion.
The "Building on the Promise" campaign begins with an inaugural
gift of $5 million over five years
from FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and personal donations from
Frederick W. Smith, president and
CEO of FedEx Corporation and his wife Diane, and Alan B. Graf, Jr., executive vice president and
chief financial officer of FedEx Corporation, and his wife
Susan. The balance will be raised through a yearlong drive for
donations.
Since its opening in 2010, the FedExFamilyHouse has welcomed
more than 100,000 family members from across the world at the house
at no charge. The current 25,000 square foot facility is
comprised of 24 suites, kitchen and dining facilities, an indoor
recreational space and family lounges.
In the same period, Le Bonheur has recruited more than 100 new
pediatric experts and researchers and has seen rapid growth of the
hospital's national and international reputation. This growth has
also fueled a 40 percent increase in the need for lodging at
FedExFamilyHouse. However, the current capacity is unable to meet
this demand, and many families must make alternative arrangements
for housing during their child's stay at the hospital.
The planned expansion will include:
- A four story building with 40,000 square feet to be connected
to the current facility;
- 51 new rooms, with 21 suites and 30 hotel-style rooms;
- New community spaces for gatherings, meetings, and
functions;
- New outdoor play areas;
Other amenities include a library, four large kitchens, laundry
facilities, children's play areas and outdoor gardens.
"FedEx is proud to support FedExFamilyHouse, as it is a place of
hope and healing for families with a child who is ill. The
expansion will support even more families in their time of need."
said Bob Henning, corporate vice
president Strategic Finance and Corporate Development, FedEx
Corporation and FedExFamilyHouse Capital Campaign Fundraising
Committee chair. "Our support with FedExFamilyHouse is part of our
FedEx Cares initiative where we give back to the communities where
our team members live and work. At the beginning of this year,
we announced an aggressive goal to invest $200 million in more than 200 global communities
by 2020."
FedEx and its team members support Le Bonheur through volunteer
activities and financial contributions. FedEx also supports
organizations that share a commitment to children's health and
safety, including SafeKids Worldwide, ORBIS International and
numerous children's hospitals in the local communities where its
team members live and work.
"The generosity of FedEx, its leaders and employees is
world-class, and all of us at Le Bonheur are excited and grateful
for their commitment to FedExFamilyHouse," said Meri Armour, Le Bonheur president and CEO. "Our
partnership with FedEx and the support we receive from their
generosity has furthered our commitment to be a nationally renowned
children's hospital that provides the best in state-of-the-art
medical facilities and programs, as well as outstanding support
services and amenities for our patients and their families."
FedExFamilyHouse and the Children of Le Bonheur
About Le Bonheur
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., treats children each year
through community programs, regional clinics and a 255 bed
state-of-the-art hospital. Le Bonheur serves as a primary
teaching affiliate for the University Tennessee Health Science
Center and trains more than 350 pediatricians and specialists each
year. Nationally recognized, Le Bonheur is ranked by U.S. News
& World Report as a Best Children's Hospital.
For more information, please call (901) 287-6030 or visit
lebonheur.org. Connect with us at facebook.com/lebonheurchildrens,
twitter.com/lebonheurchild or on Instagram at
lebonheurchildrens.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses
worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and
business services. With annual revenues of $58 billion, the company offers integrated
business applications through operating companies competing
collectively and managed collaborative, under the respected FedEx
brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and
trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000 team
members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the
highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their
customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects
people and possibilities around the world, please visit
http://about.fedex.com.
CONTACT: David Henson,
1-901-287-6795, david.henson@lebonheur.org
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SOURCE Le Bonheur Children's Hospital