Rite Aid to spread holiday cheer to patients at WVU Children’s Hospital
<h3>Rite Aid to spread holiday cheer to patients at WVU Children’s Hospital</h3>
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A team of Rite Aid elves from the Morgantown area will visit <a href="http://www.wvukids.com">West Virginia University Children’s Hospital</a> to bring the magic of the holidays to children who may not be able to celebrate the season at home with their families and friends. The Rite Aid elves will festively frolic at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, to give gifts of toys and games to every child.<br />
<br />
“Children love the magic of the holidays, and every child deserves to have fun and enjoy the season. Rite Aid associates support West Virginia University Children’s Hospital year round, but it’s especially important for us to make the holiday season as special as possible for children who may have to be in the hospital during this time of the year,” John Standley, Rite Aid president and CEO, said.<br />
<br />
The Rite Aid elves will set up “shop” and invite the children down to do some holiday shopping for their friends and family. Each child will also receive a gift from the Rite Aid elves.<br />
<br />
The holiday visit is part of Rite Aid’s corporate sponsorship and ongoing commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization helping to raise funds and awareness for 170 hospitals caring for children in North America. Rite Aid has raised more than $50 million since 1994 for pediatric hospitals supported by the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. One hundred percent of funds raised at Rite Aid stores go directly to the local hospitals.<br />
<br />
“We appreciate the support we receive from Rite Aid each year, but we are especially grateful for the generosity they show to our patients around the holidays,” Cheryl Jones, R.N., director of WVU Children’s Hospital, said. “Anything that can be done to make the holidays a little brighter for our patients is always greatly appreciated.” <br />
<br />
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 4,700 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2011 annual revenues of $25.2 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at <a href="http://www.riteaid.com">www.riteaid.com</a>. <br />
<br />
WVU Children’s Hospital provides maternal, infant and pediatric care for West Virginia and the surrounding region, giving care to high-risk mothers, premature infants and children with life-threatening conditions through adolescence to adulthood. It is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in West Virginia. For information on WVU Children’s Hospital, see <a href="http://www.wvukids.com">www.wvukids.com</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Attention reporters and editors: If you plan to cover the Rite Aid elves’ visit to WVU Children’s Hospital, please call the HSC News Service at 304-293-7087 in advance. A News Service staff member will meet media representatives in the main lobby of WVU’s Ruby Memorial Hospital and provide escort to WVU Children’s Hospital. </em><br />
<br type="_moz" />