Friends of Children’s Hospital raised $250,000 to fully fund the renovation of an activity room for inpatients at Children’s of Mississippi. This generous gift was made possible by the success of the fundraising event, An Evening with Friends presented by Trustmark, held Nov. 11 at the home of Ann and Rick Calhoon.

The activity room renovation will provide an updated, vibrant space where children can engage in therapeutic play, educational activities and creative expression during their hospital stays. Activity rooms are designed to help ease the emotional and psychological stress often associated with medical treatment, ensuring a more holistic and positive healthcare experience for young patients.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the donors and supporters who made this gift possible,” said Caitlin Foreman, executive director of Friends of Children’s Hospital. “This donation will have a lasting impact on the patients at Children’s of Mississippi, and we look forward to seeing the positive effects this new space will bring to the healthcare experience for children across the state.”

The transformed activity space will be a place where patients can play and learn during their hospital stays.

“This renovation will not only enhance the emotional well-being of children in our care but also provide their families with a sense of normalcy during hospital stays,” said Cara Williams, Children’s of Mississippi child life manager. “We are deeply grateful to Friends of Children’s Hospital and all who contributed to making this generous donation possible.”

Friends of Children’s Hospital extends heartfelt thanks to all who supported An Evening with Friends and looks forward to continuing their mission of supporting the state’s only children’s hospital. One of the evening’s highlights was the carefully curated auction featuring premier artwork donated by local and regional artists, which garnered enthusiastic support and contributed to the success of the fundraiser.

Save the date for An Evening with Friends 2025 scheduled for the evening of Nov. 22, 2025. To contribute or get involved, contact Friends of Children’s Hospital at friends@friendsofch.org or 601-936-0034.