FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2008
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Communications Manager
860.545.9956 or pager 860.220.3569 

"CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER OPENS NORTHEAST UTILITIES FOUNDATION ENTRANCE "

HARTFORD, Conn.—Connecticut Children’s Medical Center officially opened its redesigned ambulatory entrance, now recognized as the Northeast Utilities Foundation Entrance, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 28.

The renovations were made possible through a generous gift from the Northeast Utilities Foundation. This significant contribution enabled Connecticut Children’s to reconfigure the entrance to provide better access for patients, families and visitors to the medical center.

“Northeast Utilities is committed to investing in our communities in many ways including through our philanthropic efforts. Connecticut Children’s is a vital resource for children and families throughout the region and we are proud to be a corporate partner. We are also pleased that our gift had a significant impact on the physical environment of the medical center with the new space providing better accommodations for those entering the facility,” said Charles W. Shivery, Northeast Utilities chairman, president, and chief executive officer, chairman of the Northeast Utilities Foundation and board member of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

The entrance is further enhanced by a unique display of several hundred beanie babies which were generously donated by the Judie and Coleman Levy family, in loving memory of their son, Perry. The bottom portion of the information desks have been created to house the beanie babies so that they are eye level with young patients.

“We are deeply grateful for the partnership that has developed between Connecticut Children’s and Northeast Utilities Foundation. As a not-for-profit organization, it is only through this type of corporate support that we are able to upgrade our facilities and equipment thus ensuring we are providing the most advanced and compassionate care to our children and families,” said Martin J. Gavin, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. He continued, “The collection of beanie babies was a most thoughtful gift from the Levy family and has served to engage our visitors, especially the young children, in such a wonderful way.”