Community Partners
Rushforth Construction
Each year, Rushforth Construction schedules a golf tournament with the proceeds supporting four local non-profits, including Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center’s for Child Abuse Intervention Department (CAID). This year Rushforth made a $10,000 gift to Mary Bridge.
Included in photo from left to right: Kim Nakamura, President of Rushforth; Randy Rushforth, Chairman of the Board; and Dr. Yolanda Duralde, Medical Director – CAID.
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Club’s Annual Golf Tournament raised $20,824 for Tree House, A Place for Families. Tree House is funded with donations from the community. The gift will support the 
replacement of the roof as well as ongoing Tree House operations so families from Mary Bridge and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tacoma General will always have a place nearby to stay.
Included in photo from left to right: Anna Ahrens, MS, CCLS, Family Services Supervisor, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center; and Mike Shields, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Tacoma Rainiers Professional Baseball.
Tacoma Orthopedic Association, the Mothers of Mary Bridge
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center began with the work of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. Many times called, “the Mother’s of Mary Bridge,” it is the inspiration, passion and volunteerism of many women, who began by driving children to Seattle for polio treatment more than 80 years ago.
The vision of the TOA founded Mary Bridge 55 years ago when they raised the funds to match the estate left by Dr. Albert Bridge. Through those years, the TOA has given more than $27 million to support the needs of children and through their efforts, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital’s mission of treating all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, has been fulfilled.
With more than 40 active guilds, there is never an idle time for the TOA. Whether they are assisting with Festival of Trees, organizing special events throughout the year or implementing one of the most successful wreath sale projects in the South Puget Sound, the TOA is one of the most successful volunteer organizations in the community.
If you’re interested in joining or forming a guild, contact the TOA at 253-403-1427.Associated Petroleum Products Goes the Extra Mile
With a focus on providing high quality products for customers, Associated Petroleum Products (APP) goes above and beyond to help children and their families in our community for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center. For many years, APP has supported Mary Bridge as the co-presenting sponsor of Festival of Trees, the premier event for the South Sound.
“With the strong leadership team at MultiCare and the fact that every dollar raised goes directly to the cause; there is no better organization to support,” said Luke P. Xitco, APP President/CEO. “Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital holds a special place in the heart of APP as we have experienced firsthand their excellent care and encouragement of several children of the employees and ownership of APP. Our support includes active involvement on the board(s) at MultiCare as one of the major sponsors of the annual Festival of Trees event and other fund raising opportunities. We want every community where our employees live and work to be a better place because we are there to support it!”
Thank you, APP, for your incredible support of Mary Bridge.
Mary Bridge and Safeway Create Hope with Partnership
When Tree House, A Place for Families opened in June 2009, Safeway Stores were the first corporate partner to make a commitment to the families whose children are being cared for at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Safeway agreed to fully stock the pantry with food and supplies so that families would have the comfort of a home cooked meal while they stayed close to their sick or injured child.
“The support we receive from Safeway is a blessing,” said Frank Colarusso, the Executive Director of Development for the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation. “Their commitment to the families we serve goes a long way in making Tree House a safe, comfortable place during a time of critical need for the entire family.”
Each month, employees from Safeway’s Tacoma-Pierce County stores, inventory and stock the pantry with food and supplies. “This gives our families a chance to eat healthy in a home-like environment while we are caring for their children,’ said Heather Courtney, Tree House Services Coordinator.
Thanks to Safeway, the families of the children being cared for at Mary Bridge have the comforts of home.
Propel Insurance Supports Festival of Trees
Propel Insurance is a longtime sponsor of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center’s holiday event and since 1996, have been a major sponsor of the event.
“Propel supports not only the entire event, but has been the Miniature Tree Sponsor for many years,” said Amy Bettesworth, Festival of Trees Manager. “Each tree has been imaginatively designed with a special theme.”
“Festival of Trees is a passion for our company,” said Kurt Carlson, President of Propel and a regular attendee at the Festival Gala Event. “We look forward to supporting this event each year and our company is committed to support the children of our community, especially those who might not receive care if it were not for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.”
Windermere Professional Partners Volunteer at Tree House
Windermere Professional Partners became the first community group to cook dinner for families staying 
at Tree House. Nine volunteers made lasagna, salad and dessert for the families staying at Tree House. Windermere wanted to be the first group to volunteer at the Tree House as it is a cause very close to their hearts.
They have been fundraising for two years to support these families who are in need and to raise enough money to also name a room in Tree House. Windermere is leading by example and encourages others to sign up and volunteer at Tree House. If you or a group you are part of is interested in volunteering and would like more information, please call 403-8510.
Master Builders Association Provides a Helping Hand
More than 400 guests participated in the 2009 Master Builders Association of Pierce County (MBA) Tour of Remodeled Homes. The tour benefits the Helping Hands Fund at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center, which helps patients and their families with non-medical needs, such as transportation costs to doctor appointments. Over the past 12 years, this annual tour has raised more than $60,000 for Mary Bridge. In addition, the talented members of the Remodelers Council have also lent a hand on Designer Day at Festival of Trees since 2001. Each year, about 60 MBA volunteers donate nearly 300 hours on Designer Day, the day the trees get assembled.
The members feel their best contribution is of heavy lifting and assisting with the construction elements giving the designers more dressing up the trees to look spectacular. Many of the MBA members have their entire company come out for the day to help unload cars, build scenes and lift and manipulate the trees.
“When you see all the yellow shirts out there, it’s as if Santa has sent his own little elves to help take care of the kids at Mary Bridge,” says Kawehi Papalimu, MBA of Pierce County Events/ RC Coordinator, referring to the shirts the MBA members wear on Designer Day. Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers and members of the MBA for being such loyal supporters of Mary Bridge.
