PMC employee giving campaign benefits children

Parrish Medical Center (PMC) employees raised more than $125,000 in their fourth annual employee giving campaign that concluded in June. Cochaired by Ryan Hieronymus, Sheryl Shelley, and Rev. Dr. Jerald Smith, the Parrish employee Circle of Giving committee rallied employees and selected a signature project that would further PMC’s mission of providing healing experiences for everyone all the time®. The campaign supported the renovation and expansion of The Children’s Center (TCC) playground, as well as other foundation projects designated by employees.

When The Children’s Center, a service of PMC and one-stop childhood development resource center, opened in 2000, the wheelchair accessible playground was constructed for both special needs and typically developing preschool children ages 2–5. At that time approximately 250 children and their families were served by TCC. Now TCC serves well over 2,500 children annually through the programs offered, including toddler classes for children ages 1–2. The playground is directly related to childhood success as it provides optimum space for therapeutic play and child directed play that is essential to the growth and development in each child. With the increase in the number of children utilizing the playground over the years and the fact that the playground is over 10 years old, renovation and expansion was desperately needed. The new playground will ensure a safe and healthy early childhood development environment accessible to all children, regardless of ability.

Bill Moore, PMC chief information officer and executive sponsor of the Circle of Giving committee, said, “Our employees’ generosity is amazing. I’m very proud of the committee and all of our employees who are committed to our vision of Healing Families—Healing Communities®.”

The Circle of Giving committee is an extension of the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation. For more information about The Children’s Center, call 321-264-0855 or visit parrishchildrenscenter.com.