Children's Hospital, for the 52nd Time

Because it's a Washington tradition. Because it assures everychild a chance at a healthy future. Because we care.

A fanfare, please, maestro, as we kick off our annual holidayseason fund-raising campaign on behalf of Children's Hospital.

This will mark the 52nd consecutive year that The Washington Posthas thumped the tub for Children's. It marks my 20th consecutive yearin the director's chair (and to think I still consider myself a youngbuck).

By the time we close up shop Jan. 19, 2001, I hope we'll have hadour best fund-raising year ever. And that's saying something.

Our drive has raised more than $14 million for Children's over theyears. We've done about $10 million of that on my watch. Last year,we surged at the last minute to a record bottom line of $709,179.31.

Can we do even better this time? I'm betting we can. So (deepbreath) I announce our most ambitious goal ever: $750,000.

Yes, a cool three-quarters of a million. But if you generousreaders scurry to your checkbooks, as you always do, not even thathefty sum seems beyond reach.

The dollars you contribute go to what we call the "free carefund." It's used to cover the bills of Children's Hospital patientswhose families cannot afford to do so. Every cent you contributethrough this column goes to that purpose and no other--always has,always will. The money buys the world-class health care thatChildren's has provided to this community since 1870.

Because Children's never turns away a patient, regardless of race,creed, color, sex, Zip code or ability to pay, it digs quite a craterfor itself.

The hospital routinely runs up a "free care" deficit of $50million a year. But even if we raise only a little more than 1percent of it, that will help in a serious way.

Our campaign will run for the next eight weeks. I'll reportprogress regularly. On deck to help this year are Grace Hill-Putnam,who will be writing about patients and staff during the campaign, andGerri Marmer, who will help with tallying and acknowledgments.

As always, we welcome donations from individuals and groups. Allgifts will be acknowledged by postcard, and all group gifts will benoted right here in Bob Levey's Washington. All gifts are deductibleon federal and state tax returns as long as you itemize deductions.

Instructions for giving appear at the bottom of today's column. Ifyou'd like your gift acknowledged to someone else, or if you'd liketo make it in memory or in honor of someone else, please supplydetails and full addresses.

We also happily accept U.S. coins (they don't have to be counted,sorted or wrapped), foreign coins and foreign bills. Please bring ormail cash gifts to me at 1150 15th St. NW., Washington, D.C. 20071.Please do not contribute U.S. bills. They have a nasty habit ofgetting stolen on their way to my desk.

If your employer offers a matching gift program, please obtain andfill out the appropriate forms, and please enclose them with yourcheck.

As in past years, you can contribute to Children's by sayingfarewell to your rattletrap of a used car. We welcome any car, fromany era, in any kind of shape. Donated cars do not have to be inworking order. All donated cars will be sold at auction. Our campaigngets the bucks, and you get a tax deduction. To arrange pickup, callBarbara Oloye at 202-884-4289.

Meanwhile, just to show you that Bob Levey can be a 21st centurykind of guy . . .

We will accept donations via the Internet this year for the firsttime.

All you'll need will be a credit card and a computer. Go towww.washingtonpost.com/ childrenshospital and click on the donationicon in the lower right-hand corner.

This is an especially easy way for those who have moved away fromthe Washington area to stay in touch with our drive (and ourcommunity). It's also quick and convenient.

So with that, we launch. Will we feel happy or sad on the day wedock? That depends on you readers. But depending on you readers issomething I'm used to doing.

Please display the holiday spirit in a way that counts. Pleasegive needy children a boost they would have a tough time gettinganywhere else.

Let's make three-quarters of a million look easy. We've had a nice"off season," and we're already well on our way. We can finish thejob with your help. Many thanks.

Our goal by Jan. 19: $750,000.

In hand as of Nov. 20: $68,843.12.

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN:

Make a check or money order payable to Children's Hospital andmail it to Bob Levey, The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. 20071.

BY VISA OR MASTERCARD:

Call Post-Haste at 202-334-9000 on a touch-tone phone. Then punchin K-I-D-S, or 5437, and follow instructions.

TO CONTRIBUTE ONLINE:

Go to www.washingtonpost.com/ childrenshospital and followinstructions.