Giant Gifts $5M to Philly Children’s Hospital

A $5 million leadership gift from Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant Food Stores to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has paved the way for construction of the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, a state-of-the-art outpatient facility scheduled to open in the University City section in 2015. The chain’s latest donation brings its total contributions to the hospital to nearly $13.5 million.

Giant’s contribution punctuates nearly 20 years of philanthropic support for patient care programs at Children’s Hospital. As a result, the lobby of the Buerger Center will be named in Giant’s honor.

“It’s an honor and a privilege for Giant Food Stores to support CHOP’s Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care,” said Rick Herring, president. “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."

Giant Food Stores is a top fundraiser in the U.S. for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, which includes the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, through the sale of paper balloon and candle icons in stores.

The regional division of Ahold USA has also contributed nearly $8.5 million to support patient care at CHOP, as well as the remodeling of the hospital’s physical therapy gym, now named the Giant Food Stores Physical Therapy Gym.

“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,” said Steven M. Altschuler, M.D. and CHOP’s chief executive. “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.”

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 lobby will offer views onto a landscaped plaza, with a two-story, glass-walled ramp winding overhead to the second floor.

Pictured (L-R): Rick Herring, president, Giant Food Stores; Meredith Hardy and John Hardy, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia patient-family; and Steven Altschuler, MD, chief executive officer, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In front: Laughlin and Niels Hardy, kids treated at CHOP