Annual Tailgate Party Goes Virtual to Support Children’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport Program
Published: July 29, 2020
Members of Rotary International District 6860 have drawn up a new playbook for their annual Boiling N’ Bragging college football tailgate party to support the Children’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport with a virtual fundraiser.
The Critical Care Transport program at the state’s only freestanding pediatric hospital was established in 1983. This team of highly trained registered nurses and respiratory therapists transports nearly 1,000 critically ill and injured children to the hospital each year by helicopter, jet, and ambulance.
To contribute to Rotary’s fundraising effort, beginning on Wednesday, July 15, visit https://boilingnbragging.org/fund-a-need. The fundraising campaign ends Saturday, Aug. 22, the date originally set for the in-person tailgate party.
“The work of the Critical Care Transport team helps save the lives of ill and injured children all over the state. Our mission continues despite the challenges we all face during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thankful for the past and continued support from the generous members of Rotary International District 6860,” says Jason Peterson, RN, transport coordinator for Children’s of Alabama.
The committee hopes that funds raised through this virtual event will provide technology and safety upgrades for the air and ground units, including:
- Cooling units to provide therapy for critically ill babies during transport
- IV pumps
- New flight suits and helmets for the helicopter crew with updated comfort, safety, visual and hearing technology
- Portable UV lights to sanitize all transport units
“While much of our country has been effectively shut down or stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Children’s of Alabama has kept its doors open to care for the ill and injured children who need it most,” says Ted Burns, Boiling N’ Bragging steering committee. “Our members want to provide financial support to make sure this important work can carry on, even during an economic and global health crisis.”