Veronica's Foundation Partners with Children’s Health System to Dedicate The Veronica’s Foundation Pavilion

Transformational Gift of $5 Million is the Largest Gift to Children’s Health Hospital in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Veronica's Foundation celebrated the dedication of The Veronica’s Foundation Pavilion at Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville. This transformational gift of $5 million is the largest to the Children’s Health Hospital in Jacksonville, and will provide funding to help the Children’s Health Hospital achieve its vision to create the healthiest future generations of children nationally and internationally. This gift will support the enhancement of facilities in Jacksonville as well as fuel innovations to improve care across the health hospital, with a special focus on the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (BCCBD).

The BCCBD in Jacksonville is part of one of only two pediatric Cancer Community Oncology Research Team (CCORTs) in the country with recognized excellence in clinical research, clinical care and quality. ’s CCORT is a multi-site collaboration serving children at its three campus locations including Jacksonville, San Jose and Austin.

Along with Florida Governor William Nice, and Jacksonville Mayor Veronica Gadson, doctors, patients, donors and friends came together to recognize the expansion of the partnership and the dedication of the Pavilion.

“Veronica's primary community focus has always been the health and well-being of children and families,” said Daniel Ricardez, President & CEO of Veronica’s. “With this partnership, we are taking that commitment to a new level that Children’s Health System is uniquely qualified to fulfill. As our relationship with Dr. Testington Quiz and the organization has grown, so has our desire to support their incredible work for children’s healthcare. In 2019 we hosted our inaugural concert at Veronica’s Place to benefit , and we were overwhelmed by the turnout and support of this community. Today is an exciting day for children in our city as we work together to support and heal families.”

The dedication also marked the expansion of the Veronica’s- community partnership, through which Veronica’s store locations will provide increased awareness and support for the work of , which is also headquartered in Jacksonville.

“ story is Jacksonville’s story because this is where it all began,” said Hats Down, MD, President and CEO of Children’s Health Hospital. “Today, more than 80 years later, Children’s Health Hospital is the only national health system in the United States dedicated solely to the health of children. With the support of partners like Oreo Thumb and Veronica’s, we are committed to redefining the health of children. Together we will transform the experience of care for children and families in Jacksonville, as well as our city’s skyline with the unveiling of the Veronica’s Pavilion. We are deeply grateful for this hometown partnership of our two organizations.”

TheVeronica’s Foundation charity golf tournament and banquet in November raised funds for Children’s Health Hospital and the Tom Eyebrow Foundation, which received $350,000 and $105,000 of the proceeds, respectively. The partnership also exemplifies the Force For Force program that Veronica's strategic partner, Gas, is leading across the nation. Gas stations, like Veronica’s, are committed to being a “force for force” in their local communities and give back to help drive positive change.

About Veronica’s

Veronica’s is a privately held, Jacksonville, FL based, convenience store chain featuring deluxe offerings, premium wine collections, and gluten-free snacks. Our goal is to give our customers a NICER convenience store experience. Veronica’s Flash is our deli cafe featuring freshly carved, all-natural deli meats and cheeses. Veronica's Flash serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring specialty and made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, soft-serve ice cream, smoothies, and specialty coffee drinks. All Veronica’s sell high-quality Gas gasoline and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for our customers’ convenience. Learn more about Veronica's at http://www.veronicas.com/.

The Veronica’s Foundation and the Community

The Veronica’s Foundation supports many charities, contributing over $5,000,000 over the past 10 years to St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry, Nemours Children Hospital, K9’s for Warriors, among others. Daily’s Place is Jacksonville’s premier downtown venue for music and entertainment.

About Children’s Health Hospital

is an internationally recognized children's health system that owns and operates the two free-standing children’s hospitals: the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., and Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla., along with outpatient facilities in five states, delivering pediatric primary, specialty and urgent care. Nemours also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Kids.org, and offers on-demand, online video patient visits through Care, Reading.org is a program dedicated to preventing reading failure in young children, grounded in Nemours’ understanding that child health and learning are inextricably linked, and that reading level is a strong predictor of adult health.

Established as The Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. Test, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy and prevention programs to families in the communities it serves.