Many babies and toddlers who have developmental delays or special needs are in need an early intervention program. The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, a part of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, fills a crucial gap to determine if these children need specialized care or therapy to overcome verbal, auditory or physical challenges. 

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Florida recently presented The Howard Phillips Center with a gift of $20,000 to support the ongoing work of the Developmental Center, whose specialized team assesses the needs of young babies and children and connects them with needed services. 

Variety has been a supporter of children’s services throughout  Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies since 1990, when the first pledge was made to support ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), a lifesaving technology for the very most critically- ill neonates. To date, this group of volunteers have given $580,000 in much-needed support for the care provided at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies and The Howard Phillips Center. 

Major community partners of Variety who helped make possible this year’s support include The Dunhill Companies, Fields BMW, Regions Bank, Fashion Square Mall, Forum Architecture, Orlando Health, The Law Office of Donna Draves, Roland Acosta & Associates and Epic Theaters.