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Kid for A Night goes virtual for 2020, raises $518,582
With the COVID-19 pandemic making large gatherings unsafe, St. Luke’s Children’s had to mix things up for its 28th annual Kid for A Night. This year’s event was hosted live on social media with a two-weeks long silent auction leading up to Kid for A Night. Participants had the opportunity to contribute to the St. Luke’s COVID-19 Response Fund or pediatric trauma needs at St. Luke’s Children’s.
In total, $518,582 was raised.
“The event was stellar. Despite the challenge of hosting the entire event on a virtual platform, it was so much fun,” said Maegan Krahn, manager of special events for St. Luke’s Health Foundation. “Many things about Kid for A Night were very different this year, but the generosity of our community and their commitment to supporting St. Luke’s didn’t change a bit. We feel so lucky to be surrounded by such dedicated and passionate donors and volunteers!”
The theme for this year’s Kid for A Night was changed from “A Space Odyssey” to “A Safe Odyssey” after the decision was made to host it online. The out-of-this world look and feel remained. A short program was hosted by local emcee personality Larry Flynn and broadcast live on social media from the AuctionFrogs studio in Boise. Patients, providers, and volunteers were interviewed.
Every auction item received a bid and was sold. There was even a donation from Puerto Rico.
Highlights included Dr. Kendra Bowman being abducted by an alien in the middle of the broadcast – thankfully, she was released due to the St. Luke’s Health Foundation board’s matching donation of $500,000 to the St. Luke’s COVID-19 Response Fund and the auction for the exclusive dinner on the Idaho Elks Children’s Pavilion skybridge was so popular they sold a second one.
Children’s ambassadors Dr. Kendra Bowman, Patricia Kempthorne, and Bryan Wewers were able to join in the studio for the live event, as well as event chair, Kim Roth, and her husband Chris Roth, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Health System.
Dr. Kendra Bowman announces the $500,000 match from the St. Luke’s Health Foundation Board.
About The Author
Randall Post works in the Communications and Marketing department at St. Luke’s.
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Support St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital’s biggest fundraiser, Kid For A Night.