Donations toward a new children's hospital in Springdale continued to build Monday as officials announced a $1 million gift.
Premier Concepts in Bentonville will give $1 million to Arkansas Children's Hospital-Northwest during the next five years, the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation said in a news release. It brings the project's total donations to $28.5 million, including the donation of the hospital's 37-acre site.
The hospital is set to open in late 2018 with about 230,000 square feet and 24 beds.
"As a company and family, we feel led to give to a project that supports the 200,000 children in the greater Northwest Arkansas area," Premier Concepts CEO Darren Horton said in the release. "We also want to encourage other businesses to make a gift that's meaningful to them. We believe together our community can give back in a big way."
The company provides nationwide sales and analytics services for vendors, according to the release.
The hospital project has also received donations of $8 million from Wal-Mart and the Walmart Foundation, $5 million from J.B. Hunt Transport Services and $5 million over the next five years from the Will Golf 4 Kids and Color of Hope fundraising events. Cynthia and Kirk Dupps gave $1 million last week, and the estate of Mildred and Jarrell Gray earlier gave $1 million.
The hospital's construction was announced at last year's Color of Hope Gala, where officials said they hoped to raise $70 million to put toward the $167 million project. But foundation spokesman Ashley Leopoulos said last week that the foundation doesn't have a confirmed goal for donations.
A public fundraising campaign hasn't begun.
Fred Scarborous, the foundation's president, praised Premier.
"Their dedication to improving the health of children in Arkansas is tremendous, and we are proud to have them join the caring community," he said.
State Desk on 07/19/2016