Philanthropist and community leader Wanda Amos delivered gifts for hospitalized children at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Campus today. She invited Scott Ressmeyer, co-owner of Country’s Barbecue and leader of the Miracle Riders, to join her in the delivery. They presented the gifts to nurses and staff from the Pediatrics floor and Pediatric Emergency Department, who will distribute them to the children. Amos also donated $1000 to the Children’s Miracle Network fund and delivered trays of cookies to the Children’s Hospital and Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation staff.

      Amos is continuing a 20-year tradition of delivering gifts. It began with the Columbus Cottonmouths in 1996. When she and her husband, Shelby, acquired the team in 2000, she continued to invite the players to join her in the annual gift distribution. In 2017, she invited Ressmeyer and the Miracle Riders to join her and that has continued since then. She purchases all the gifts as well as making a generous donation to the Children’s Hospital each year.

      While this year’s delivery cannot take place on the Pediatrics floor, Amos was determined that COVID restrictions would not stop the tradition. “It’s all about giving back to the community,” she said. “Just like the Miracle Riders, we can all do our part in small ways to make a difference. Shelby and I always enjoy this opportunity to brighten the day of children in the hospital.”