Pepsi to present $15,000 grant check to Shands Healthcare

February 7, 2011

What:
Pepsi Bottling Company will be presenting a $15,000 grant check to Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida. The check is an award to Dance Marathon at UF for winning the UF Pepsi Refresh Project. The grant will fund a renovation of the pediatric surgical waiting area at Shands at the University of Florida.

The event is free and open to the public.

When:
Wednesday, February 9
11:30 a.m. (Please arrive early to allow time to set up.)

Who:
Tim Goldfarb, CEO of Shands Healthcare, will be accepting the check on behalf of Dance Marathon and Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Children’s Hospital at UF. Other presenters include:

  • Susan Barcus, Chief Development Officer of Shands Healthcare
  • Virginia Pesata, MSN, ARNP for Shands at UF Nursing
  • Kenny Brighton, Overall Chair of Dance Marathon at UF
  • Jennifer Stenson, Senior Marketing Manager of Pepsi Bottling Company

Where:
Shands at the University of Florida Atrium
1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32608
Valet parking passes available upon request.

Background:
Since its inception in 1995, Dance Marathon at the University of Florida has raised more than $3.7 million for Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida. This year, 800 students will gather on April 2-3 to stay awake and on their feet for 26.2 hours to show their support for Shands Kids.

Pepsi Bottling Company offered the UF Pepsi Refresh grant opportunity to student organizations across the UF campus who had established a compelling project that would refresh the community. The top five project ideas were voted upon through an online competition in the fall that lasted six weeks. Dance Marathon at UF was announced as the winner at the men’s basketball game on Jan. 8.