Birmingham, Ala., Dec 24 –Hibbett, Inc., an athletic-inspired fashion retailer and global sports brand, PUMA continued their shared commitment to community impact this holiday season with a sixth consecutive annual donation to Children’s of Alabama, one of the nation’s largest pediatric medical centers.
On Wednesday, December 17th, associates from both brands visited the Children’s of Alabama campus and presented hospital leaders and Social Services staff with $20,000 in financial support and more than 2,000 essential items to help ease the burden for patients and families receiving care. The contributions included footwear, apparel, toys and comfort items that will directly support families during some of their most difficult moments.
“Hibbett is proud to call Birmingham home and Children’s of Alabama plays an extraordinary role in caring for families across our community,” said Sarah Sharp-Wangaard, VP Marketing, Hibbett. “This holiday season, we are especially grateful for our partnership with PUMA which allows us to provide much-needed resources and essentials to Children’s, so they can remain focused on caring for their young patients.”
This year’s donation included $20,000 in financial support along with 1,000 PUMA men’s, women’s and kid’s footwear and apparel items, 1,000 fidget toys and 16 Paw Patrol toys, collectively valued at $11,000. These resources will support key Children’s of Alabama programs including the Care Closet, Sugar Plum Shop and Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services.
“This collaboration and support will enable the care team at Children’s to provide family-centered care to ease patient and caregiver stress,” said Charlie Ann Shepard, Community Development Coordinator at Children’s of Alabama. “We are incredibly grateful to the teams at Hibbett and PUMA for their efforts to ensure that patients and their families have essentials to make their stay at the hospital as comfortable as possible.”
Supporting Families When They Need It Most
Each year hundreds of thousands of families turn to Children’s of Alabama, often unexpectedly and without time to prepare. The hospital’s Social Services team plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in helping these families navigate their visit while providing clothing, footwear, hygiene products and holiday support.
Programs Supported by Hibbett X PUMA Donation
Care Closet
The Care Closet serves more than 400 families in crisis each year offering complimentary essentials such as apparel, footwear, toiletries and toys to families who arrive at the hospital with often just the clothes they are wearing.
Sugar Plum Shop
The Sugar Plum Shop provides gifts to an average of 260 patient families helping to bring some comfort and joy to children who are hospitalized during the holiday season.
Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services
The Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services center promotes hope and healing for children affected by abuse and neglect, delivering thousands of counseling sessions annually by specially trained staff.