When Julie Venegas decided to participate in the HOAG Orange County Marathon back in May, she did it with several goals in mind.
It was a way to exercise, for sure, but it also was a vehicle for team building and giving back.
As vice president of operations at Sysco in Los Angeles, she spread the word about running in the event with her employees with the goal of improving fitness of the Sysco employees and as a way to partner with UMPS CARE Charities. The result was creating a Run For Bears event with the dual purpose of engaging employees and raising funds for our UMPS CARE Blue for Kids Hospital program.
All of us at UMPS CARE thought this was a win-win.
Today, Julie, along with Sysco co-workers Michele Hall and Paola Taylor, saw the fruits of their labor as they took time out to serve as volunteers for our hospital program visit at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Julie, Michele and Paola joined up with Major League Baseball umpires, Todd Tichenor, Manny Gonzalez, Cory Blaser and Nestor Ceja, to deliver 100 Build-A-Bear® furry friends, outfits, baseball-themed activity books and more to young patients undergoing medical treatment.
Including this visit, UMPS CARE has now delivered more than 22,000 Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys to children in hospitals across the country and in Canada – 22,165 to be exact! The visit at CHOC marked our 218th since the program began back in 2006.
Sysco VP of Operations in Los Angeles Julie Venegas ran a marathon to raise funds for our hospital program!
“I was first introduced to UMPS back in 2016 from my previous employer.,” Julie said. “I was very excited to support such a great cause which raises money to bring smiles and much needed support to children. This simple gesture goes a long way as I cannot imagine what these kids and their families are going through.”
Julie and her fellow employees raised nearly $5,000 through donations for the race from friends, family members and other supporters. Then Sysco took the extra step of matching that donation to UMPS CARE!
Sysco employees ran with small stuffed bears on their backs as a way to draw attention to our hospital program and the Build-A-Bear® stuffed toys we give to kids. The employees also took time out to stuff goody bags for the young patients and write encouraging notes to the kids and their caregivers.
Sysco employees took time out to stuff goody bags for the hospital visit. Each bag includes a baseball-themed activity book, stressballs, crafts, stickers and more!
“Being a mom, and now a grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters, it is very close to my heart to ensure these kiddos have resources and opportunities from people like you to provide these programs at the hospital,” Julie said. “All I need to join is to know we can spread some cheer and love their way!”
“Most importantly,” she added, “it also helps put things in perspective in our everyday lives and teaches us to be humble and grateful and gracefully give back as we never know when we may need the same type of support and kindness in our own lives.”
Running proved to be a great way for employees to get behind our cause.
“There are many physical and emotional benefits to participating in the run along with raising money for charity and that is physical health, mental health, fitness, weight loss, team building, laughter and social interactions and wonderful memories along the way,” Julie said.
Thank you, Julie, Michele, Paola and all of the Sysco employees and supporters who participated in this Run For Bears event! If your company is interested in participating in a Run For Bears event, please contact Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt at [email protected]
Learn more about our Blue For Kids Hospital Program.
Above – MLB Umpire Todd Tichenor brings some smiles to this patient.
Below – MLB Umpires Cory Blaser and Manny Gonzalez do their best dino impressions with this patient.
Photo Credit: Oscar Aquino
