Akron, OH -- 2005-01-01 -- Akron Children’s Hospital is cleaning out the stables and making room for a whole new herd of horses for the Horse of a Different Color event in 2005. This event will feature something a little different—ROCKING HORSES!

Children’s is rounding up sponsors and artists for the horses and activities. Proceeds from the event will benefit the C.A.R.E. Center and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The C.A.R.E. Center was established to better evaluate and initiate treatment for children of suspected physical or sexual abuse and neglect. The center provides a quiet, structured and unhurried atmosphere for examination and interview.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit cares for critically ill and premature newborns. Medicine and equipment is high-tech in the NICU, and funding is always needed to maintain the best care available.

Anyone can sponsor a fiberglass rocking horse in need of decorating. An individual or group of the sponsor’s choice will then design and decorate the rocking horse.
There are several different levels of sponsorship for this event, each level holding unique benefits. More details will be sent out upon request. The deadline for sponsorship commitment is Monday, November 22, 2004.

All fundraising initiatives for Children’s, including events like the Holiday Tree Festival, contribute to “Campaign For Our Kids,” a philanthropic effort to raise $103.2 million by the end of 2006. Campaign For Our Kids, the hospital’s largest fundraising campaign, will support a variety of hospital initiatives, including community outreach programs and services. The three primary campaign components of the $103.2 million include $70 million for endowment, $19 million for physical space and equipment and $14.2 million to enhance annual support.

Akron Children’s Hospital cares for more than 300,000 inpatients and outpatients each year from throughout northeast Ohio. Children’s is a full-service, 253-bed pediatric hospital and houses a regional burn trauma center for both adults and children, as well as a pediatric trauma center.