Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia recognizes Giant Food Stores for $5 million leadership gift
PHILADELPHIA — The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on Friday hosted an event to announce a $5 million leadership gift from Giant Food Stores to support construction of the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, an outpatient facility scheduled to open in the University City section of Philadelphia in 2015. Giant Food Stores’ contribution punctuates nearly 20 years of philanthropic support for patient care programs at Children’s Hospital. In recognition of Giant Food Stores’ gift, the lobby of the Buerger Center will be named the Giant Lobby.
“Giant has built such a powerful legacy of support at CHOP over nearly two decades, and with this incredible gift, there is no more appropriate way to recognize their generosity than to name the lobby of the new Buerger Center in their honor,” stated Steven Altschuler, CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “The Giant Lobby will be the most visited, and most visible, space in the building. We deeply appreciate Giant's significant investment in this project and their longstanding commitment to helping children enjoy healthy futures."
Giant has contributed nearly $8.5 million to support patient care at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as the remodeling of Children’s Hospital’s physical therapy gym, now named The Giant Food Stores Physical Therapy Gym. Today’s announcement brings their total contributions to nearly $13.5 million.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for Giant Food Stores to support CHOP’s Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care,” commentedd Rick Herring, president, Giant Food Stores. “We know this gift will have a long-lasting impact on the exceptional care that will be provided there, and it underscores our commitment to improving the quality of life for children.”
The 9,000-square-foot Giant Lobby at the Buerger Center is designed to be the focal point for family arrivals at the Center and will feature a reception area providing information, directions and assistance to families. Filled with natural light, the Giant Lobby will offer views onto a landscaped plaza, with a two-story, glass-walled ramp winding overhead to the second floor.
The Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care was announced in June 2013 with a landmark gift from the Buerger family of Pa. to name the facility. The Buerger Center will feature 12 floors of integrated clinical care facilities and patient, family and visitor amenities. At its projected opening in 2015, it will be the most advanced outpatient pediatric medical facility in the world, designed for the ideal patient experience.
Spacious waiting rooms for families will be filled with natural light and dotted with “wait, play, learn” areas to provide patients and their siblings a venue for educational toys and games. A relaxing 14,000-square-foot roof garden will be utilized for recreation as well as rehabilitation sessions, while a 2.6-acre landscaped outdoor plaza will offer a safe open area for play, entertainment and emotional recharging.
The Buerger Center will be environmentally friendly, with a targeted LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Five levels of underground parking will accommodate 1,500 vehicles, enough for Children’s Hospital’s entire South Campus.