GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Hospice of Michigan is Michigan’s largest hospice provider. For 40 years, this not-for-profit organization has been committed to their mission of providing quality end-of-life care for all regardless of age, diagnosis, or ability to pay.
This commitment is exemplified in the care they’ve provided our most fragile citizens – critically ill children.
Hospice of Michigan just wrapped up a four day, four city fundraising whirlwind featuring the latest installment in the Jumanji movie series Jumanji: The Next Level. The series of movie screenings benefited Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children.
Hospice of Michigan enjoys a long-time friendship with world-renowned children’s author and illustrator, and Grand Rapids native, Chris Van Allsburg and his wife, Lisa.
The Jumanji screening follows the highly successful Michigan movie premieres of The Polar Express in 2004 and Zathura in 2005, both based on Van Allsburg books, which raised more than $1.5 million for end-of-life pediatric care.
Celebration! Cinemas has been a long-time partner with Hospice of Michigan for each of these fundraisers and two years ago, the organization was proud to host the statewide premiere of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, in both Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.
This year, Hospice of Michigan brought excitement to even more locations across the state where almost 1,500 people attend and more than 500 in attended in Grand Rapids and sold out in Grand Rapids and Southeast Michigan. Locations listed below:
- December 8 - Grand Rapids at Celebration! Cinema North
- December 9 - Traverse City at the State Theater
- December 10 – Alpena at the AMC Classic 3
- December 11 – Detroit-area at the Emagine Royal Oak
Along with those that attended were children and families who have been, or are currently being served by the Anchors Programs for Children attended as our guests.
A special effects producer traveled across the state reached and offered to stage his collection of props from previous Jumanji movies, including the costumes from the last movie, the board game from the original movie, and Dax Shepherd's costume from Zathura.
Hansen Balk, The Betz’s, matching gift sponsor and Behler-Young donated as well!
Most importantly, Hospice of Michigan raised $265,000 to support Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children!
Anchors Programs for Children offers a full continuum of pediatric services to support families facing a life limiting illness.
It is the only statewide pediatric hospice and a supportive care program to serve families with specially trained staff that provide medical, social, spiritual and emotional support to help navigate difficult situations.
For the fundraiser there were incredible on-site donations that were inspired by two special videos, a special message from The Rock and Kevin Hart and a moving mission video with parents who have experienced the loss of a child
Hospice of Michigan is proud to say that our generous community raised nearly $20,000 in that moment of dedicated giving.
To learn more about Hospice of Michigan, you can visit there website here.
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