Rady Children's kicks off Light The Way Campaign with opening of ice rink

SAN DIEGO – The holiday season is here, and Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is celebrating with Light the Way, its annual fundraising campaign that supports San Diego kids spending their holidays at the hospital.

“Light the Way ensures that children on the mend have a holiday season to look forward to presents on holidays, milestones throughout the season, festive holiday decorations, and support for parents,” said Alexandra Loker, vice president of philanthropy at Rady Children’s. “We are thrilled to kick off the season with the Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station.”

The Rady Children’s Ice Rink, now in its 26th season, is located in the Central Promenade at Arts District Liberty Station. It opens on Nov. 17 and runs until Jan. 8. Last season, more than 47,000 visitors laced up their skates and helped raise funds for the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Rady Children’s and welcome the ice rink back to Arts District Liberty Station for its eighth year,” said Lisa Johnson, president and CEO of NTC Foundation. “The ice rink is something we look forward to every year, and its return kicks off the holiday season by bringing the community together for some holiday cheer while also helping San Diego families dealing with childhood cancer.”

Thanks to community support and local sponsors, more than $2 million has been raised from the ice rink in the past 25 years. The rink is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day).

“Philanthropic support allows us to bring joy and light to kids in our community in a way that’s unique to San Diego,” said Stephen Jennings, senior vice president and chief external affairs officer, and executive director of Rady Children's Hospital Foundation. “We are a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to support our mission. With your help, we’re going above and beyond during the holidays to make the season magical for children at Rady Children’s.”

Other Light the Way events include the iHeart Rady Children’s Giveathon. For two days, on Dec. 7 and 8, on eight iHeartRadio stations, current and former patients and their families will share their stories live on air and listeners will be able to donate to help the hospital continue its mission of hope and healing.

On Dec. 14, it’s the annual Light the Way parade on Rady Children’s main campus, put on for the hundreds of sick or injured children who are spending the holidays in the hospital. City of San Diego lifeguards, firefighters, and law enforcement personnel parade their vehicles around the hospital while patients and their families shine flashlights from their hospital room windows.

County residents can also help by making a monetary donation to the Holiday Book and Toy Store, a place where parents can pick out gifts for their child at no cost to them on Dec. 20.

Find all the details on Rady Children’s holiday events and giving options, including year-end giving, at http://www.radyfoundation.org.

Submitted by Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.