Joanna and Chip Gaines Donated $1.5 Million to Children’s Hospital with the Help of Other Stars

Last week, Chip and Joanna Gaines took a trip to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, to make a $1.5 million donation and gift the new permanent playhouse they designed.

The couple who are the

which ran on HGTV from 2013 to 2018, raised $1.5 million through a social media campaign, tagged #ChipInChallenge. Chip Gaines had announced the campaign on June 4 through his Instagram account and encouraged his followers to donate and "spread the word."

In the post, he had written:

"Every penny we raise will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and it's a fact that when we all chip in towards one goal, nothing can stop us."

With donations from famous friends like Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Jacey James Decker, Kacey Musgraves, and fans all over, the original goal of $230,000 was crushed.

A total of $988,000 was raised for the hospital through the social media challenge, and Chip Gaines added his donation of $547,000, bringing the total up to $1.5 million.

In addition to the donation, the couple teamed up with Target to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor Playhouse for the children and their families.

Joanna said.

"There's something so special about spending time together outside, and while we're hopeful that these families will not have to stay here for very long, we wanted to create a retreat for them to explore while they are here."

The playhouse is situated behind an archway covered in colorful flowers and features a small table with plastic food, and a pretend kitchen where kids can play chef. Joanna said, concerning the playhouse that her hope is that families derive joy from it.

The playhouse was unveiled at a garden party for St. Jude patients, hosted by the Gaines and Target.

At the party, Joanna Gaines read to the children from her book "We Are the Gardeners," before she and her husband presented the hospital with the money raised from the #ChipInChallenge.

The couple has been married for 16 years, and their union is blessed with five children –Drake, 14, Ella Rose, 12, Duke, 10, Emmie Kay, 9, and Crew, 1.

According to PEOPLE, Joanna revealed that the secret of their enduring romance is their ability to prioritize themselves even after over a decade together. The pair still makes that they have a date night once a week.