NEW: Hasbro's "Battleship Ball" Nets Record $1 Million

NEW: Hasbro's "Battleship Ball" Nets Record $1 Million

The 19th annual benefit gala for Hasbro Children’s Hospital on March 3 welcomed 800 attendees and raised just over $1 million in gross revenues—the highest fundraising total since the event’s inception in 1993. The theme was the “Battleship Ball,” in recognition of the upcoming film BATTLESHIP, based on the Hasbro, Inc. game. As a special presentation by title sponsor Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), the evening also included a guest performance by The B-52s.

“Each year this gala proves how vitally important Hasbro Children’s Hospital is to our community of generous, caring supporters,” said Timothy J. Babineau, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s Hospital. “In the last year, nearly 80,000 kids walked through the doors of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and every single family who needs our services will benefit from the funds raised at this incredible event.”

A night to remember

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In addition to live music, dinner and dancing, attendees took part in an Alex and Ani raffle, a silent auction and a live auction hosted by Tony Petrarca, chief meteorologist for Eyewitness News WPRI 12. The live auction funded the establishment of the “All for One” Family Assistance Fund. The Fund will support the countless families throughout the region who rely on Hasbro Children’s Hospital for care and who do not have the means to take care of their basic expenses during a long hospital stay or frequent hospital visits, such as child care, transportation, and groceries.

“At Hasbro Children’s Hospital, we embrace a philosophy of family-centered care because the family is the most important part of a child’s life,” said Robert Klein, M.D., pediatrician-in-chief of Hasbro Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to our generous donors for helping us provide the critical support so many families need to devote all their care and concern to their children.”

"Captain" Tony Petrarca

Petrarca “captained” the ball, with keynote speeches by hospital leaders, as well as Lawrence Aubin, chairman of the hospital board; Brian Goldner, Hasbro, Inc. president and CEO; and event chairs Dolph and Maureen Johnson. During the program a video was shown of young patient Jenna Jacques, her family and her treatment team. The video illustrated the hospital’s “All for One” team approach to each patient’s care.

“We are moved by the teamwork of all who have helped us plan and coordinate this amazing event,” said Dolph Johnson, senior vice president of global human resources at Hasbro, Inc., who has co-chaired the ball for the past three years along with his wife, Maureen. “The children in our area are so fortunate to have this wonderful hospital, staffed by passionate experts in the field of pediatric health care, and Saturday night the community showed its appreciation and passion for their great work.”

The annual Hasbro Children’s Hospital gala has raised more than $9 million since its inception in 1993. The event is presented by Hasbro, Inc., and additionally sponsored by Toys“R”Us, Alex and Ani, Amgen, Collette Vacations, CVS Caremark, GTECH, KPMG, The Procaccianti Group, and William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, among others.