In the photo above, shoppers at Eastview Mall stop by to help at the Annual Miracle Mile of Donations event earlier this month. Photo by James Hopper
On Saturday April 1st, the Finger Lakes Division of Kiwanis International joined together for their Annual Miracle Mile of Donations (MMOD) at Eastview Mall to raise funds for the URMC Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs!
This event began several years ago as the Quarter Mile of Quarters. They invited shoppers to place a quarter or give a quarter so that there were enough quarters to stretch a 1/4 mile. When the new Children’s Hospital was being built, John Hanratty the previous chairperson decided to change the name and the concept, to a Miracle Mile of Donations or the MMOD. In the past the funds from the MMOD, raised $75,000 towards the pledge for the new Children’s Hospital at Strong that we all know and love today. In addition, these funds have helped the Social Work Program at the hospital, to provide meals, housing, gas, and parking passes to families who stay at the hospital or even travel back and forth to be with their child who has an extended stay at the hospital.
After John’s Passing, Lt. Governor Designate, and HFLM Club President Christine Mitchell took over chairing the MMOD. Each year the event tries to add new things to draw the shoppers. This year they added, a basket raffle of 16 donated baskets to shoppers who donated to this year’s recipient, the Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs. Also added was a partnership with the Grease Paint Alley Clowns, who joined them for two hours greeting families, and making balloon animals for the children. The Kiwanis cannot thank them enough for their time and dedication to this event. Hopefully, they will continue to join in each year.
With over 60 Kiwanis Volunteers, 8 clowns, 4 Pediatric Behavioral Health Representatives, 1 local mall, and the shoppers of the Eastview Mall they were able to raise over $5,000 and even more importantly raise awareness to the Mental Health Crisis we are experiencing in our children, youth and even adults today. The Kiwanis are supporting the programs financially, but they are also showing people that Kiwanis Cares, and that it is ok to ask for help.
