(LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17, 2006) — To spread the spirit of giving this holiday season, the Automobile Club of Southern California is hosting its annual toy and fundraising drive to benefit Southern California children with severe and life-threatening illnesses.
The drive will take place until the end of the year at all Auto Club offices throughout Southern California. All donated funds will help pay for medical care for needy children at the nation’s largest provider of children’s orthopaedic services — Orthopaedic Hospital in Los Angeles and its affiliated clinics throughout the Southland.
While supplies last, those who give a suggested donation of $6 or more at any Auto Club office will receive a plush stuffed animal toy as a gift of appreciation.
Also, all Auto Club offices will be collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys and books that will be given to patients at the hospital and clinics during their annual holiday party and throughout the year as motivational tools for physical therapy.
“Orthopaedic Hospital and its clinics treat life-threatening and disfiguring illnesses of thousands of Southern California children each year, regardless of their families’ ability to pay,” said Wendy Sabins, the Auto Club’s vice president for marketing and product management. “We encourage everyone to help make a difference in a child’s life by donating money or a toy.”
Orthopaedic Hospital provides outpatient services and life-altering surgeries to young people who are fighting cancer and cancerous tumors, spine ailments, neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy, congenital conditions such as scoliosis and clubfoot, and severe accident injuries.
Each year, the hospital and its affiliated clinics throughout Southern California receive more than 100,000 visits from patients for therapy, surgery and checkups. For additional information on Orthopaedic Hospital and its services, visit www.orthohospital.org or call (213) 742-1500.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest member of the AAA federation of motor clubs, has been providing service since 1900. Today, the Auto Club’s members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing and buying programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club’s Web site at www.aaa.com.
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