I’m putting a lot of work recently into my videos for OC Family and I’m having a blast making them and I’m getting to meet some incredible Orange County people in the process. In this new one from CHOC Night at the Honda Center I worked with the ever-patient Bryce from Post Fifth Pictures for the new intro & the shooting and editing. I really feel like the look and the feeling of these segments are coming together. With every new one, I get more excited about the series.
Take a look…there are some shots from the Ducks locker room where a CHOC Patient and his family gets to meet some of the players. So great. I tried to make the piece fun and light to capture the feeling of the night. We also tried mixing my FLIP footage with the other camera footage.
And speaking of meeting incredible OC People, Pam De Jong, who is CHOC’s Marketing Manager, is a friend of mine and fellow blogger. A few days ago Pam took me on a tour of Children’s Hospital of Orange County and I was, to say the very least, astonished at the amount of work CHOC does for our community and our children.
Like most Orange County-ians, I wasn’t crystal clear on why CHOC was having to raise money. In my (small) mind a hospital is supported by its patients and the insurance companies that pay them. CHOC is actually a non-profit. I feel at little stupid even admitting that, but it’s not a world I think of very often because my children haven’t need anything more than stitches there.
Did you know that CHOC NEVER turns away a child? Ever! Did you know that 60% of the kids they treat don’t have medical insurance? They spent over $190,000,000 last year on treating kids for everything from cancer to broken arms. Did you know that CHOC is Orange County’s ONLY all Children’s hospital–treating kids from birth to age 21? CHOC saw 200,000 kids come through their doors last year and treated each one, again, regardless of whether the family was able to pay.
After my tour I told Pam I felt overwhelmed and a little silly not knowing the impact CHOC had on our community. She said I was like a lot of people, “They don’t really know about CHOC until they need it.”
Well, I’m joining Pam in helping to change that, stay tuned! More to come. I’m not being overly dramatic (who, me?) when I say I believe CHOC is one of Orange County’s greatest resources.
The Anaheim Ducks organization has figured this out already and have partnered with CHOC in fundraising and building their own wing. I snapped these photos when I was walking through with Pam. Again, hockey players (and their wives) they’re the best…
It’s amazing the work that the Children’s Hospitals do in this country. Like you said people don’t realize it until they need it. Yeah for the Ducks building a wing, it’s probably much needed.
Really liked the video, with each one your seem more confident and you are defining your style more.
I didn’t realize CHOC was a non-profit either. I love seeing athletes give back like this. Especially if it’s kid related. Good for the Ducks. 🙂
What’s this series you speak of?!
Awesome! GO ANAHEIM DUCKS!
The Ducks just keep getting better and better. What a wonderful contribution!
I spent most of my childhood visiting my brother at CHOC while he had brain surgeries (due to hydrocephalus). I remember the hospital staff being amazing…
That gets me wondering; I am the chairperson, on the Navy base where I work, for the Combined Federal Campaign (http://www.opm.gov/CFC/). It’s the world’s largest workplace campaign, raising money for non-profit agencies. I haven’t looked, but I’m curious as to whether or not CHOC participates. It’d be a shame if they didn’t; I’m sure there are thousands of military and federal employees who would love the opportunity to give to them through payroll deductions…
What a great opportunity to share information about such a worthy organization. Way to go, Suz!
CHOC was wonderful when Bean fell off the couch at 5 months old and fractured her skull. They saw how hysterical I was and really did their best to put me at ease. They didnt judge us and even shared some of their stories of parenting mishaps. Needless to say Bean was fine. They kept us for 24 hours for observation just to be sure.
It was terrible seeing all the other children in the ICU that had been there for a long time. It made me hug my Bean a little tighter.
I get emotional just hearing the word “CHOC.” They saved my baby’s life 5 years ago. I honestly don’t think people realize what they do and how much they are needed. Good for you for helping get the word out, Suz!
Wow, what a great post- thanks for raising awareness about CHOC. We ought to look for a way to feature them in the future…. :]
I didn’t know CHOC was a non-profit either. They should be more aggressive in letting OC know! I always thought the same as you. I wondered why they were raising money. Hope your new project helps with that (knowing you, I’m sure it will).