2012 effort raises total donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to $1.8 million

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The wildly successful "Turn the World Upside Down" initiative to celebrate this year's National Gymnastics Day yielded $121,890 to bring the USA Gymnastics community's donations to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to more than $1.8 million since 2001. Nearly 44,000 gymnasts and fans nationwide, including cast members of the Kellogg's® Tour of Gymnastics Champions, joined together to turn upside down to celebrate USA Gymnastics' annual National Gymnastics Day by doing handstands at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 22.

California Sports Center in San Jose, Calif., raised $37,431 to become the top-fundraising club, and the club's Lilly Anderson was the top individual fundraiser at $10,572.

The top three clubs and individuals for raising funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for 2012 are listed below. Both the top club and individual fundraisers received prizes for their efforts. In addition, the individuals will be featured in USA Gymnastics promotional materials for 2013 National Gymnastics Day and the USA Gymnastics Fitness Program.

Clubs

1. California Sports Center, San Jose, Calif., $37,431
2. Northern Elite Gymnastics, Flanders, N.J., $18,104
3. United Sports Academy, Dunmore, Pa., $13,103

Individual

1. Lilly Anderson, California Sports Center, $10,572
2. Mary Peterson, California Sports Center, $5,631
3. Mary Kate Cacchione, Northern Elite Gymnastics, $4,312

National Gymnastics Day for 2013 has already been scheduled for Sept. 21.

Each year, National Gymnastics Day builds awareness of the sport and supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Money raised benefits a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in each club's local community. This year's event more than doubled the participants in the 2011 handstand world record effort. Participants documented their involvement by posting photos on the USA Gymnastics Facebook page to show how they turned the world upside down on National Gymnastics Day.

Established in 1999, National Gymnastics Day is a platform to showcase the many benefits of gymnastics, as well as promote the ideals of physical fitness and community service nationwide. USA Gymnastics and its gym clubs began raising funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals through National Gymnastics Day in 2001.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America, which, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.