J.B. Hunt Transport Services has donated $5 million to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Ark.
The gift is designated specifically for the second floor of the new South Wing, which began construction in 2008 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012.

"We are delighted to be able to provide a contribution to Arkansas Children's Hospital toward the construction of this much-needed addition," said Kirk Thompson, president and CEO of J.B. Hunt. "The hospital does such a wonderful job and plays an important role in the lives of J.B. Hunt employees and their families. We are pleased to be a part of helping expand their world-class facilities and making their services available to a larger number of people across all of Arkansas."

Thompson made the gift announcement at the South Wing topping out ceremony, which marked a milestone in the construction project. The event gave participants the opportunity to sign one of two final construction beams, each covered in thousands of signatures and well-wishes, and be a part of the hospital's history.

The South Wing will create an additional 54 in-patient beds, expanding the hospital's pediatric Heart Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and increasing the total bed availability to 370. Also included in the new $115 million wing are new and relocated Hematology/Oncology and Infant-Toddler units, as well as a new Emergency Department with an orthopedics suite, decontamination unit and dedicated trauma rooms. Expanded clinic space will include 56 new exam rooms and 19 additional procedural or diagnostic rooms. The South Wing was funded through cash reserves, philanthropic donations and bonds.