Big Change Roundup for Kids What do more than 4,000 change bandits and 3 ½ tons of coin add up to….more than $154,000 for the programs and services at Vermont Children’s Hospital.

Thank you to all the Change Bandits, WOKO, local Wal-Marts, community organizations, schools, employees and individuals for making the 2008 Big Change Roundup for Kids a huge success.

For the past three years 4,000 individuals, civic organizations, schools, and businesses have joined together to be Change Bandits as part of the Big Change Roundup for Kids benefiting the patients and families at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Throughout the months of January and February, the Change Bandits collected spare change and other donations. This year, their combined "loot" weighed over 3 ½ tons! During the month of February, the staff from the Development Office and the radio personalities from WOKO toured schools and businesses throughout Vermont and northern New York in the Ehler’s RV Coach for Kids to cheer on our bandits and to thank them for their outstanding efforts.

February 29th through March 3rd marked the culminating weekend of the Big Change Roundup for Kids. It kicked off on Friday at the Ticonderoga Wal-Mart, moved to the Plattsburgh Wal-Mart on Saturday, traveled to the Williston Wal-Mart on Sunday, and ended at the lobby at Fletcher Allen Health Care on Monday. The weekend was filled with over 35 hours of live broadcasting with the talented radio personalities from WOKO, including Wild Bill Sargent, CK Coin, Cowboy Cal, Thom Richards, Heather Rogers, and Lee Bodette. Also on hand were 2008 Children’s Miracle Network Champion, Grace Emery, and our own, Dr. Lewis First. Over twenty current and former patients and their families joined us on the air to tell their story and to share with everyone the importance of supporting Vermont Children’s Hospital and all of the amazing services it provides.

The Big Change Roundup for Kids continues to be an amazing success due to the thousands of bandits throughout our community who decide to make a difference. The value of our partnerships with 98.9 WOKO and Wal-Mart is inestimable. They provide countless hours of dedication and commitment to make the Big Change Roundup for Kids a truly memorable event with a huge impact upon the patients and their families at the Vermont Children’s Hospital.

If you are interested in becoming a Change Bandit for the 2009 Big Change Roundup for Kids, please contact the Development Office.