Fundraising Event Makes Miracles Happen

JOPLIN, Mo. – Hosted by Freeman Health System, the area’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Wine Women & Shoes brought in more than $45,000 Saturday, August 29, to help local children with medical needs. The event, held at the Amelie Event Center, drew more than 200 women and featured wine and food tasting, a boutique shopping experience with a live auction, a raffle and a high-energy fashion show. Local restaurants, vintners, fashion boutiques and jewelry stores donated their time and talents to help make the event a success.

“We were blessed to have the community come together for local kids, and I am overjoyed to announce we more than doubled our total from last year,” said Heather Lesmeister, Freeman Assistant Director of Development and External Relations and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program Director. “Thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers and donors, we raised $45,000. Those funds will make miracles happen right here in our community,” 

Blake Bard, Freeman Chief Development Officer, said they were overwhelmed with the success of Wine Women and Shoes in the community. “It’s a fun collaboration with volunteers, local boutiques, and national wine vendors to join together to offer a unique experience at a great venue,” he said. “It is also always wonderful to showcase the kids who benefit from the proceeds – at this event, they served as runway models and provided auction items. Overall, this event was a great opportunity to help educate the community and promote Freeman as the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital with a mission of helping local sick and injured children.”

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program at Freeman provides assistance to children from birth to 21 years of age in a 14-county area in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. All money raised stays local, helping children and their families with medical needs, such as prescriptions, medical equipment and associated transportation expenses. The program also provides financial support for pediatric equipment, medical supplies, educational materials and more to Freeman pediatricians and maternal-child units, such as Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Birthing Center and Pediatrics Unit.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years of Service
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2014, Freeman earned 90 individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90