Mercy Rockford Health System issued the following announcement on Dec. 14.
The Mercyhealth Development Foundation held a successful Holiday Toy Drive on Thursday, December 13, collecting more than 500 toys for pediatric patients receiving care throughout Mercyhealth. Generous donors dropped off toys throughout the morning and enjoyed a delicious breakfast, holiday music provided by the Boylan Catholic High School Octaves, inspirational testimonials from patients and area organizations, and a special visit from Santa.
Nearly 150 people attended this year’s Holiday Toy Drive where Mercyhealth patients and families shared uplifting stories of how they have benefited from toy donations during their care and treatment. The event also featured presentations by many area organizations that collected toys, including the K Cancer Baseball and Softball Teams, Rockford Public Schools Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and St. Rita Catholic School.
Following breakfast, Santa put smiles on children’s faces by delivering the new toys to pediatric patients hospitalized on the Pediatric Unit and receiving care in Outpatient Pediatric Surgery at Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Rockton.
“Toys can make a tremendous difference to a child facing illness or injury,” said Jennifer Johns, director of Mercyhealth Development Foundation. “They help distract, soothe, and entertain young patients and are distributed year-round to playrooms, therapy departments, and waiting areas throughout Mercyhealth.”
The Mercyhealth Development Foundation extends its gratitude to all the individuals and businesses who donated toys or made a monetary gift to the 15th annual Holiday Toy Drive, including Premier Sponsor Mercyhealth MD-1 Physicians. The Foundation would also like to thank the businesses that served as drop-off sites for the Toy Drive including Mary’s Market, Meg’s Daily Grind and area Starbucks.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Mercy Rockford Health System
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