Paramount Farms Donates $4 Million to Children's Hospital Central California

Madera, CA (PRWEB) November 3, 2006 -- Paramount Farms has pledged $4 million to help Children's Hospital care for patients in Central California. "This is a tremendously important donation," says William F. Haug, President and CEO of Children's Hospital Central California. "This generous gift will go a long way in helping us provide outstanding care to our patients."

Paramount Farms, the largest farmer of tree crops in the world, grows and processes almonds, lemons, oranges and pistachios. Paramount Farms is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has operations throughout Central California.

"This donation stems from our commitment to our employees and to the broader Central California community," said David Krause, President of the citrus division of Paramount Farms. "When we ask our employees throughout California's Central Valley which charities are most deserving of our support, Children's Hospital is always among their top choices."

"We are delighted to be able to ensure that families in our community continue to have access to the best possible medical care. It's all about the nursing and the special care the hospital gives its patients," said Joel Epstein, Paramount Farms' Director of Charitable Giving.

A new 50,000 square foot expansion of Children's Hospital will be named in honor of Paramount Farms. The expansion will include additional Emergency Department, imaging, and surgical areas. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2010, and will make Children's Hospital Central California one of the ten largest free-standing pediatric hospitals in the United States.

"This is just such a great fit," says James Meinert, Vice President of Children's Hospital Foundation, "The hospital's service area covers all of Central California, stretching from Stockton to Bakersfield and from the Nevada border to the Pacific Ocean. Paramount's farms fill those same areas. By making this gift they are helping children in the very communities in which they operate."

Children's Hospital announced the gift on October 19, 2006 at a small ceremony in the hospital's rotunda. Several patients presented Paramount Farms officials with dozens of thank you cards, hand-made by Children's Hospital patients.

This is single largest gift ever made to Children's Hospital Central California, according to Meinert. He says the gift will be used to create an endowment to help offset future needs.

Media Information:              
Micheline Golden
(559) 353-7049

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