PHOENIX (March 14, 2005) – Magical Builders™, a new initiative recently introduced by The Frank Foundation, has announced that it will renovate the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital beginning March 21, 2005.
Much like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the entire project is planned for a 10-day construction period from start to completion. The project, which will be filmed for a television pilot to be produced by Los Angeles, Calif.-based MDR Entertainment, LLC, will feature an estimated $1.5 million dollars in materials and labor donated by numerous Valley companies.
“We are pleased, as a family, to be able to initiate a lasting contribution to our community,” said Christy Frank, who along with her husband, Jon, co-founded The Frank Foundation. “The Magical Builders™ program will effectuate this principle by renovating the facilities of non-profit organizations nationwide through youth-led, large-scale construction projects.”
Originally designed as a place to provide rest and comfort for families visiting their hospitalized children, the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital will benefit from a complete space redesign and the addition of new appliances and furniture.
“While everyone thinks of Phoenix Children’s Hospital as a new facility, there are always opportunities to enhance the healing environment for our children and families,” said Steve Schnall, vice president of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “The renovation of the Family Living Center, which includes a full kitchen, laundry room, showers, sleeping areas and desks for homework, will allow families the “home away from home” comfort that is so important when coping with the illness of a child.”
Individuals, families and corporations interested in supporting the completed Family Living Center can make a donation to the Magical Builders™ fund that has been established by The Frank Foundation. Contributors will receive recognition on the hospital’s newly designed donor wall, located at the entrance to the Children’s Garden.
“We are extremely appreciative of The Ameris Group, Cindi Battisti and Jessica Brown of Robb & Stucky Design Studio, REA Architecture, The Phoenix Suns Dancers and the nearly 20 subcontracting companies that have stepped up to the plate to partner with us on this project,” said Jon Frank. “As a Phoenix-based organization, it was very important to us that our first project benefit the community in which we live and work. Hopefully, we will be able to assist with many more local and national projects in the years to come.”
Magical Builders™ was inspired as an initiative of The Frank Foundation by the Frank’s daughters, Madeline, Makenzie and Abigail, who during the 2003 holiday season asked if they could give their “gifts” to friends in need. As a result, The Frank Foundation was formed with the mission of unifying people to advance the well being of children and their communities.
The Frank Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to renovating and improving the facilities of non-profit organizations serving the needs of families and children across the country.