BankPlus and Nickelodeon star present check to Friends of Children's Hospital

With the help of Nickelodeon star SpongeBob SquarePants, BankPlus presented a check for $148,785.40 to Friends of Children’s Hospital, representing the first year’s proceeds from the bank’s Friends of Children’s Hospital CheckCard program.

“On behalf of all the physicians, nurses, staff – I and most of all – on behalf of the children who are patients at Batson Children's Hospital and their families, we say thank you to BankPlus,” said Dr. Rick Barr, Suzan B. Thames Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at Batson Children’s Hospital.  “Not only for the show of support demonstrated by the Friends of Children's Hospital CheckCard program, but for the many programs that BankPlus supports every day that benefit children. The funds raised will help our mission of providing the best possible health care to all the children of Mississippi.”

BankPlus introduced the charitable option for consumers in November of 2011, returning proceeds from the Friends CheckCard directly to Friends of Children’s Hospital. The Friends CheckCard program is the first of its kind for both BankPlus and Friends. 

“We are proud to partner with Friends of Children’s Hospital on another ongoing fundraising project and have been pleased with the success of the Friends CheckCard program during the past year,” said Bill Ray, BankPlus President & CEO.  “We are asking Mississippians to support Batson Children’s Hospital, our state’s only hospital designed specifically to treat sick and injured children, by purchasing the Friends of Children’s Hospital debit card for only $12 per year, which is donated to Friends.”

After the check presentation, Children’s Hospital patients were able to enjoy a rare public appearance by Nickelodeon star SpongeBob SquarePants. The character made a stop at the Children’s Hospital on his way to the BankPlus Racing Vehicle Extravaganza at the Mississippi Trademart.