This year PIG participated in Day of Service (August 11th, 2007). Volunteers helped out with cleaning and maintenance at the Ronald McDonald House on Saturday, August 11th, 2007. The Ronald McDonald House works closely with the School of Medicine Pediatric Interest Group to support the services of North Carolina's Children's Hospital. The house provides lodging to families of children undergoing medical treatment far from home. The comfortable, family environment of the Ronald McDonald House provides welcome calm and stability to the families who stay here during trying times. It is truly Chapel Hill’s “House with a Heart.”

Bids for Kids is an annual fundraising project that PIG participates in, in conjunction with Kids Cards (www.kidscards.org). Bids for Kids is a benefit art auction where all the artwork is done by the children of the N.C. Children’s Hospital. Proceeds from the auctioned artwork go to fund life enrichment programs benefiting patients and families of the N.C. Children’s Hospital. PIGers participate in “Art Parties” during the spring semester, in which volunteers run art sessions in the Pediatric Playroom at UNC Children’s Hospital in order to collect art for the auction. Volunteers are also invited to the wine and cheese reception at the auction, and to bid on some art themselves! Art Party Sign Up coming in January, Bids For Kids event in May (exact date TBA)

The Ronald McDonald House works closely with the School of Medicine pediatric interest group to support the services of North Carolina's Children's Hospital. The house provides lodging to families of children undergoing medical treatment far from home. The comfortable, family environment of the Ronald McDonald House provides welcome calm and stability to the families who stay here during trying times. It is truly Chapel Hill’s “House with a Heart.” This year PIG, in conjunction with Fun Factory, hopes to hold a pancake breakfast in order to feed families and staff at the Ronald McDonald house. (project pending, exact date TBA)

PIG is proud to continue an expressive art therapy project, started by fellow UNC medical student Kristopher Karvelas. This project joins volunteers from the School of Medicine with undergraduate volunteers working through the UNC Campus Y. One Medical Student and one Undergrad at a time will hold art therapy sessions in the Pediatric Play room in which they will assist an inpatient, one-on-one, in making a “Wish Doll” out of simple craft materials. This is a truly therapeutic experience for both the kids and the volunteers, offering a more intimate and creative atmosphere. One PIG volunteer is needed for each monthly session, scheduling is binding. Training session to be held in late September, please contact your PIG co-president’s if you are interested.

PIG is excited to participate in the annual Halloween Carnival. Come join us in the Pediatric Playroom for a fun time making crafts, playing games, and handing out prizes to inpatients at UNC Children’s Hospital as we celebrate Halloween with our friends. Costumes are highly encouraged! October 29th, 2-4 pm, Pediatric Playroom

Held in conjunction with Curtis Media Group, Time Warner Cable and News 14 Carolina, this signature fall event raises funds to benefit children’s programs and further support the continuation of excellence within the medical and surgical programs housed in the N.C. Children’s Hospital. Numerous radio stations broadcast live from 5 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. The 5th annual N.C. Children’s Promise Radiothon/Telethon raised over $631,508 to benefit the hospital. This is the largest single fundraising event for UNC Hospitals. Funds raised through this event will benefit children from all 100 North Carolina counties who visit UNC for diagnosis and treatment. It is our commitment to treat each child with the same level of excellence, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. PIG is proud to be a part of this fundraising opportunity and we need plenty of volunteers for various opportunities. November (exact date TBA)Link

The N.C. Children's Hospital hosts the Healthy Hearts reunion in February for its pediatric heart surgery patients, their families and cardiac-care staff. The celebration, sponsored by the Carolina Parent Network, will include food, games and entertainment. As many as 250 patients and their families are expected to attend the event, which will take place in the lobby of the N.C. Children's Hospital. PIG volunteers are welcome to assist during this event, or just to drop by and offer their support. February (exact date TBA)