Welcome to St. Jude Sundays. This month I’m dedicating my Sundays to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month as I train and fundraise for the this December.
How is St. Jude able to ensure that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food?
75% of the $2.2 million daily operating costs come from public contributions and companies like Target Corporation support St. Jude with financial donations and other methods. Since 1996, Target has raised $62 million dollars for St. Jude kids and also sponsors the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer, hosts multiple special events every year for St. Jude families, and funds Target House, a long-term housing facility for patients and families on campus for more than 90 days.
Target House is an apartment-style housing facility that features 96 fully-furnished, two-bedroom apartments that offer privacy, independence and a supportive environment where kids can be kids.
Each apartment is equipped with wireless internet access, a full kitchen that includes cookware, dinnerware, glassware and flatware, one queen and two twin beds, bath and bed linens, sofa and an entertainment center.
There are plenty of age appropriate spaces. Preschoolers can engage in imaginative play in a beautifully furnished kitchen, practice gross motor skills on the playground, and even take some of the bikes, cars, and scooters for a spin around the property.
There are cool spaces for teens with gaming consoles, pool tables, and places to just chill.
There are spaces with materials to inspire kids so they can be creative.
Target House has an art room with every art supply a child could ever want!
Young animators will be inspired by the Dreamworks Studio Room that features shelves of movies, computers, tablets, books, art supplies and even a wall to make shadow puppets
Target has leveraged their relationships with celebrities such as Shaun White and Brad Paisley who have designed living spaces at Target House with plenty of signature touches throughout.
The Shaun White Great Room at St. Jude Target House
The Lodge designed by Brad Paisley at St. Jude Target House
Other celebrities have designed whimsical elephants that adorn the Target House walls. Elephants are the St. Jude mascot because they live a long time, are an international symbol of good luck, live in family groups that take care of each other, are smart, and represent hope.
Elephants designed by celebrities
Elephant sculptures are the center of a fountain at the Target House entrance
Just like thoughtful touches are throughout St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, they’re at Target House too. I loved the Target Carts that were readily available for families to use to bring items in from their car or tote around Target House!
While Target is an incredible supporter of St. Jude and Target House, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital relies on donations from people like you and me to ensure that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Here are 5 Ways You Can Help St. Jude
- . I am thrilled to be less than $400 away from my $2,500 goal and every dollar helps- even $1, like Danny Thomas used to say! I know with your help, I can meet my fundraising goal to help the kids of St. Jude.
- Cheer me on via social media! I’m always posting training updates via my Instagram photos. I’m also going to be sharing information about St. Jude on the Tech Savvy Mama Facebook page every Sunday until race day in December.
- Rally friends, family and community members to register for the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer on Sept. 17, 24 and 25. Registration is $10 for adults and children ages 6 and older. Visit stjude.org/walkrun to find an event near you.
- Learn more about how you can help at stjude.org/together.
- Join @StJude on social media and use the hashtag #StJude to show your support.
Read my other blog posts about St. Jude:
I visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a blog ambassador but am not compensated for my role and am personally covering my race expenses for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon.
