Approximately 300 of Albuquerque’s community leaders gathered at the city’s new Embassy Suites Hotel and Spa Saturday, May 21, to celebrate the progress on the new Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion addition to UNM Children’s Hospital.
In addition to donating ballroom space, food and beverages, the Embassy Suites contributed a $15,000 check toward completion of the new pavilion. Will Weckstein, president of John Q. Hammons Hotels kicked off the evening by presenting a check to University of New Mexico president Louis Caldera and University Hospital CEO Steve McKernan.
“This contribution will accomplish a great deal toward helping New Mexico’s kids,” said McKernan. “We are extremely grateful to the Embassy Suites and John Q. Hammons Hotels for this generous donation to Children’s Hospital.”
Hotel developer John Q. Hammons said, “We look forward to contributing to the needs of each community we serve, but UNM Children’s Hospital is particularly important to us. Any effort to help these special kids is something we want to be a part of here at Embassy Suites. We're very grateful to be involved with this event."
The 476,555 square foot Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007. The hospital needs to raise $29 million of the $234 million project, of which approximately $7 million will go toward technology and new equipment. UNM Children’s Hospital will show a brief presentation of the progress on the new addition as part of the evening’s festivities.
Contact: Jennifer Riordan, (505) 220-0702