L’Oréal Raises $2 Million for Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation

This press release was submitted by Children's Specialized Hospital.

An incredible 550 golfers turned out September 11, 2012, for the fifth annual L’Oréal USA “Fore the Children” charity golf event, which raised $550,000 to benefit the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. This year’s fundraising adds to the $1.45 million raised by L’Oréal USA since 2008. Hosted by L’Oréal USA Corporate Operations North America, based in Clark, the outing took place at two area golf clubs, Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, and Fox Hollow Golf Course in Branchburg.

The date of the golf event is significant. In 2009, Congress designated September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. In addition to golf, participants recognized 9/11 with a moment of silence as a bag pipe played in the background.

The funding raised at this year’s golf outing will support a portion of the cost of the hospital’s new interactive patient care program called, the GetWellNetwork.  This unique system engages patients in their own care using the bedside TV in the hospital and web, cable TV, and mobile phone in the home.

Patients like 10-year-old Ariana McGuire, of Bridgewater, would benefit greatly from this interactive technology that allows children to learn and play while in the hospital. In 2010, while playing at a friend’s home, Ariana stepped into the path of an arrow that pierced her skull and struck her between the eye and nose. Ariana suffered a stroke, aneurysm, damage to the left side of her brain, and even a medically-induced coma. After several surgeries and a long acute care stay, she was transferred to inpatient pediatric rehabilitation at PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, where she learned how to eat again, talk again, and walk again.

Over 800 supporters had a chance to hear Ariana’s story in person, when along with her family, she inspired the crowd at the 5th anniversary of L’Oréal USA’s “Fore the Children” charity golf outing.

“We spend a lot of time at Children’s Specialized, first living there during Ariana’s inpatient therapy, and now with school and outpatient therapy,” said mom Luciana McGuire. “The support that L’Oréal USA has given the hospital really does make a difference. Ari loves the rock-climbing wall in the gym. We were happy to share our story on behalf of all the kids at the hospital.”

To date, L’Oréal USA has raised $2 million through this annual tournament. The proceeds have been used at the hospital to renovate therapy rooms, create a family resource center, honor employees, and support events since 2008.

“We are once again extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, employees and participants who generously donated and volunteered their time for this event.  We are humbled by the considerable funds raised over the past 5 years for Children's Specialized Hospital, and believe that the success of our event is due in large part to the efforts we make to connect the donors directly with the cause,” Morris Lenzicki, event chairman, treasurer of Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, and vice president of operations at L’Oréal USA.  “Each year, we invite a guest family to come and share their incredible story with us. It is also a day of camaraderie, where members from our industry come together for enjoyment, and for the support of a common cause.”

Phil Salerno, president and chief development officer of Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation, says “Fore the Children” illustrates the strong partnership between L’Oréal and Children’s Specialized Hospital.

“When we began to plan the very first event, I don't think anyone understood the possibilities and the potential. The company’s generous contributions and efforts have had a profound affect on the patients and families we serve,” Salerno said. “In addition to fundraising, so many L'Oréal USA employees have contributed as volunteers to help make each patient's stay a little more pleasurable. We are fortunate to have L'Oréal USA as a part of the Children's Specialized family.”

Participants of “Fore the Children” played 18 holes of golf at both Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club and Fox Hollow Golf Course, along with enjoying a breakfast, luncheon reception, live entertainment, a live and silent auction, tricky tray, and dance lessons from local professionals.

Suppliers, donors, and sponsors included: Unette Corporation, Century Packaging, Inc., RockTenn, Packaging Corporation of America, and Walker International.

Children’s Specialized Hospital is the preeminent provider of rehabilitation services for children with special needs. The hospital serves children affected by brain injury, spinal cord injury, premature birth, autism, developmental delays, and life-changing illnesses. Children’s Specialized Hospital has nine sites in New Jersey and treats 19,000 children each year, making it the largest pediatric rehabilitation system of its kind in the nation. Services include outpatient services, acute rehabilitation, and long-term care through its sites in Bayonne, Clifton, Egg Harbor Township, Mountainside, Toms River, Fanwood, Hamilton, New Brunswick and Roselle Park as well as outreach programs in many communities.  Children’s Specialized Hospital is a proud member of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and was named the 2012 Hospital of the Year by NJBIZ. Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation supports the programs and services of the hospital. The Foundation is ranked among the top six pediatric hospital foundations in the country. To help, or find more information: visit www.childrens-specialized.org; find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @ChildrensSpecNJ.

L’ORÉAL USA – L'Oréal USA, headquartered in New York City, with 2011 sales of $5 billion and 9,800 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oréal SA, the world’s leading beauty company. In addition to corporate headquarters in New York, L'Oréal USA has Research and Innovation, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across six other states including New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.  For more information contact www.lorealusa.com. Follow us on Facebook at L’Oréal USA - Corporate Facebook Page and Twitter @LOrealUSACorp.