The Big-To-Do, hosted by Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta at Zoo Atlanta took place on Sunday, April 25, 2010. This afternoon of family fun benefitted the Children’s Program of VN|HA. All proceeds from The Big- To-Do go toward the comprehensive medical, emotional and spiritual care of Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta's pediatric patients and their loved ones. 750 guests attended The Big-To-Do and over $125,000 were made in support of the Children’s Program.

The Big-To-Do included activities for children of all ages. The kids enjoyed all the games and prizes, face painting, and the animal exhibits. Our energetic DJ had them dancing, competing in hula-hoop contests, and participating in other games. Everyone enjoyed the inflatable bounces, treasure hunt, Rock Climber wall, Zoo Express Train, and the Carousel. Low Country Barbecue provided a mouth-watering dinner of pulled pork, corn on the cob, desserts, and macaroni and cheese for the children.

Molly Lynch and Deborah Miller were the event co-chairs. Members of the committee were: Laura Crim, Ashley Gelber, Ashley Giardino, Emi Gragnani, Julia Green, Jennifer Irvin, Jacquelyn Lankford, Sally Mefford, Amanda Moore, Kim Nagy, Nicole Pierce, Carolyn Rankin, Laurie Speed-Dalton, Jessica Sours, Megan Stephenson, Jeannie Tarkenton, Lee Todd, and Beth VanWinkle.

A special thank-you to the volunteers and to The Big-To-Do Sponsors and Donors: The Arnold Foundation, Arrow Exterminators , Brown Bag Marketing , Eula C. Carlos , John and Elaine Carlos , Kim and Lamar Chesney , Commercial Property Professionals , Intergraph Corporation , Northside Hospital , Palliative Pharmacy Solutions, Inc. , Carey Cox Wyatt Charitable Foundation, Helen A. Carlos and Ronald L. Hilliard, Carr Video Productions , Atlanta Beat- Women’s Professional Soccer, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Frank , Morgan Stanley Smith Barney , Scott and Mary Ellen Garrett , The Garrett Group at Merrill Lynch , Genuine Parts Company , Sharon S. Umphenour, Melissa and Craig Allen , Merry and Chris Carlos , Helen and Jimmy Carlos , The Coca-Cola Company , Sylvia and Bruce Dick , Eve and Bob Eckardt , Barb and David Ghegan (in memory of Eleanor Ghegan), GotGreenKits.com , The Ice Box , Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jewell , LowCountry Barbeque, Inc. , Molly and Kip Lynch , Martenson, Hasbrouk and Simon, LLP , The Maxwell Family , Starr Moore , and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Presley.

The Children's Program at Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta, a community nonprofit, provides care in pediatric patients' homes and in the Hospice Atlanta Center, a residential hospice facility for adults and children who are unable to remain at home. Children live as normal a life as possible, surrounded by their favorite loved ones, friends, pets and toys.

In the photos:

U. The Blanco and Read family. Back row: Read Elizabeth Blanco, Joseph Blanco, Malia Read, Lisa Read Blanco, Dr. Paul M. Fernhoff, Kathy Read, Dave Read, Dottie Read. Lower row: Marissa Read, David Blanco, Meghan Read, Landon Read, William Read. Dr. Fernhoff is the medical director of VNHA’s pediatric hospice program.

V. Sally and Doug Brown. Doug Brown is the President of Brown Bag Marketing, who graciously donated their design services to The Big-To-Do.

W. Mark Oshnock, CEO and President of VNHA, with Sue Carpenter, Director of Corporate Sponsorships for VNHA and The Big-To-Do Event Coordinator, and Jerry Thomas, CEO and founder of Got Green Kits, LLC. Everyone who attended The Big-To-Do received a Got Green tote bag.

X. Napoleon Rutledge, Director of Internal Audit at General Parts, long-time sponsor of Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta, with his wife Gail and her mother Charlotte Johnson. They are enjoying the petting zoo at Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta’s Big-To-Do held at Zoo Atlanta in Dekalb County.

Y. The Atlanta Beat Athletes Amanda Cinalli [left to right], Sophia Mundy, and Katie Larkin [bottom] with [left to right] Drew, Danielle, and Nick Detukowski [bottom].

Z. The Atlanta Beat Athletes[left to right] Amanda Cinalli, Sophia Mundy, and Katie Larkin with Big-To-Do co-chairs Deborah Miller [left] and Molly Lynch. They are enjoying Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta’s Big-To-Do at Zoo Atlanta in Dekalb County.