McCann Hosts the Inaugural Kids at Heart Charity Challenge for Boston Children’s Hospital

Giving back to the communities we serve has always been a core principle at McCann Systems. We call this principle McCann Cares, and broadly, it means our company seeks to create a culture of caring—for our team, our clients, and the communities we serve. This year, part of that commitment took shape in the inaugural “Kids at Heart Charity Challenge,” a golf tournament benefiting Boston Children’s Hospital. More than just a day on the green, this event brought together industry partners, sponsors, and friends to support families navigating challenging times with medical issues.

The Inspiration Behind the Event

For McCann Systems, the Kids at Heart Charity Challenge isn’t just a fundraiser for PR purposes; it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Josh Bittner, Senior VP of Sales at McCann, noted:  “McCann has a long history of participating in events like this and charitable giving in general. Each year as an organization, we donate between $50,000 and $75,000 to various charities connected to our clients. After our participation with Boston Children’s Hospital in the annual Corporate Cup, we thought it would be a great idea to organize our own event.”

Monica Sweeney, Development Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, added, “McCann has a long-standing relationship with the hospital and has demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back. We were heartened by McCann’s team’s enthusiastic participation in the Corporate Cup, and this Kids at Heart tournament felt like the perfect next step for collaboration.”

SEE ALSO: McCann Cares: Competing in The 2024 Corporate Cup for Boston’s Children’s Hospital

Benefiting Boston Children’s Hospital’s Extraordinary Needs Fund

The funds raised through the Kids at Heart Charity Challenge directly support Boston Children’s Hospital’s Extraordinary Needs Fund. This fund provides critical financial assistance to families who may be struggling with unexpected expenses, from housing and meals to travel, allowing them to stay close to their child during treatment. Monica Sweeney of Boston Children’s explained, “The Extraordinary Needs Fund helps struggling families keep the lights on, the doors open, and the food warm. It provides crucial assistance with rent and utilities due to lost wages, addressing food insecurity, transportation and parking for medical visits, hotel stays for those traveling a distance to the hospital, emergency clothing, and items not reimbursed by medical insurance. The fund allows families to focus on what truly matters the most: helping their child heal.”

Event Highlights

Of course, no one says that a charity event can’t be fun. The Kids at Heart Charity Challenge was an engaging day filled with camaraderie, entertainment, and community spirit. Held at Sterling National Country Club, the event featured a friendly golf scramble and unique individual challenges like “Break the Glass.” Beyond the green, guests enjoyed live music, a full menu, and a lively auction. Premium sports packages with the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics were big draws, alongside luxury golf outings. “I have selfishly always wanted to host a golf tournament,” joked Josh Bittner, adding, “but to be able to tie it into a good cause such as this is outstanding and I’m thankful for everyone who attended and donated.”

The Impact of Community and Corporate Partnerships

Partnerships like the one between McCann Systems and Boston Children’s Hospital amplify the hospital’s ability to provide essential support to families. Monica Sweeney from Boston Children’s, emphasized, “The Extraordinary Needs fund wouldn’t exist without fundraisers like this one; it’s 100% funded by philanthropy. The support from events like this one strengthens the resources we can provide to all families that come through our doors and enhances our overall impact in the community.”

Looking Forward: Building a Tradition of Giving

With the success of the Kids at Heart Charity Challenge, McCann Systems aims to make this event a yearly tradition. Josh Bittner expressed excitement about the future, saying, “This isn’t just about holding one successful event. While we’re excited that we raised $20,000 this year, it’s a jumping-off point to greater things ahead. We’ve already begun organizing the tournament for 2025, and I think that if we can sustain the Kids At Heart charity event over many years, then we will be able to realize our goal of making a lasting impact on the community.”