Panda Commits to Raise $1 Million for Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Other Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in 2012
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® announced that Panda Restaurant Group, the nation's leader in Asian quick-service restaurants, increased their fundraising 123 percent over the previous year. In 2011, Panda guests and associates raised $864,886 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a charity that raises funds for 170 children's hospitals throughout North America. More than $300,000 benefitted Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
In conjunction with National Nurses Week, CEOs from Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Panda Restaurant Group gathered on May 10 for a brief press conference at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Panda presented a check to Children's Hospital Los Angeles and announced their commitment to raise $1 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in 2012. Panda also brought in lunch for the nursing staff and hosted a party for pediatric patients in the rehabilitation unit.
"On behalf of Panda Restaurant Group and our 20,000 associates, we thank and honor the nurses who touch the lives of the children and families served by Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Children's Miracle Network," said Andrew and Peggy Cherng, founders and CEOs of Panda Restaurant Group. "We are proud to continue our commitment to these world-class organizations and the communities they impact."
Panda has been a proud corporate partner of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals since 2007. The philanthropic branch of the company, the Panda Cares Program, promotes the spirit of giving and establishes a caring presence in communities where Panda Restaurant Group's guests and associates live and work. In addition to the funds raised for children's hospitals through an associate giving campaign, coin canisters and golf tournaments, Panda has also been generous with in-kind donations to patient families and to support fundraising events across the nation.
Funds raised by Panda guests and associates stay in the communities where they are raised to benefit the Children's Miracle Network Hospital serving that community. These donations provide critical care, purchase life-saving equipment, fund ground-breaking research and cover medical costs for uninsured or underinsured pediatric patients.
About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.
About Panda Restaurant Group
Founded in 1973, with close to 1,500 locations, the privately-held Panda Restaurant Group is the world's leader in Asian dining experiences. The successful chain of concepts includes Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Panda Express is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including their famous Orange Chicken™, Beijing Beef™, SweetFire Chicken Breast™, Honey Walnut Shrimp™ and Kobari Beef™. For more information visit www.pandaexpress.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
About Panda Charitable Foundation
Panda Charitable Foundation's mission is to bring hope to children in need. Our purpose is to support non-profit organizations serving the health and education needs of underserved children. Learn more at www.pandacares.org.
About Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children's hospital in California and among the best in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious US News & World Report Honor Roll. Children's Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States, is one of America's premier teaching hospitals and has been affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932. For more information, visit CHLA.org.
Contacts:
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Heidi Shepherd, 801-214-7400
hshepherd@cmnhospitals.org
or
Panda
Restaurant Group
Thien Ho, 626-372-8478
thien.ho@pandarg.com
or
Children's
Hospital Los Angeles
Lyndsay Hutchison, 323-361-4121
lhutchison@chla.usc.edu