Rockford Sun

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center issued the following announcement on Dec. 14.

The holiday season is big for us at OSF HealthCare. It’s the season of giving, and there’s nothing we’d rather do. In fact, we’re always looking for ways to give more.

That’s where you come in. We know from experience that with our communities behind us, helping us do the work, we can achieve so much more than we could on our own. That’s where OSF HealthCare Foundation comes in.

“The OSF HealthCare Foundation exists to support OSF HealthCare as it provides compassion and care,” said Cherie Reynolds, director of philanthropy for OSF HealthCare Foundation in the LaSalle County area. “We work to build and cultivate relationships with people who have a passion for giving their time, talent and treasures to positively impact the communities we serve.

“We match their passion with a cause, whether it be to support, create or expand a particular program, purchase equipment, provide education or even build an entire building.”

Why give to OSF HealthCare?

The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have made it a priority for over 140 years to provide care to everyone who needs it, whether or not they have the ability to pay. What makes it possible to care so charitably for those in need? Donations.

“Our donors make what seems impossible, possible!” Reynolds said.

OSF HealthCare Foundation has created the Mother Frances Krasse Fund to help patients and their families in need of financial support. Named after the Sisters’ founder and first Mother General, the Mother Frances Krasse Fund helps fund things like transportation, lodging, medication, medical equipment and housing needs for families when their resources have been exhausted.

In Ottawa, the fund plays a vital role in helping people access essential services. OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center is home to one of the only inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities in the region, so patients are transported from all over to OSF Saint Elizabeth for care. Following treatment, the Mother Frances Krasse Fund often pays for the rideshare or taxi ride home.

A lot of OSF HealthCare programs and services would not be possible without donations. The creation of the Faith Community Nurse position at OSF Center for Health – Streator depended on donations for its initial funding. The OSF King Care-A-Van was paid for entirely with donated funds, too.

“Together, those services have already made a huge impact in our area,” Reynolds said. “They’ve provided vaccinations, screenings and education, as well as partnering with our community garden and nutrition teams to distribute fresh produce, provide recipes and ‘how-to’ demonstrations for preparing healthy meals.”

Keeping it local

When you give to the OSF Foundation, you can direct where the funds go. The money you donate goes to help those in your own community. You can direct the OSF Foundation to put the funds toward your hospital’s greatest area of need, or you can direct your funds to be used for a specific project within your local hospital or community.

Keeping it personal

If you want to donate without having to talk to anyone, all you need to do is go to the OSF HealthCare Foundation website and click the ‘DONATE’ button. You can leave a comment, pick your local facility and designate a facility to receive your gift. It’s as easy as firing up your web browser.

If you want a more personal touch, though, Reynolds said she and all her OSF Foundation teammates are happy to accommodate.

“Oh, I can give you a call, or we are more than happy to meet you anywhere,” Reynolds said. “We want to build and cultivate relationships. Whether you want to donate your money or donate your time to be a volunteer or an advocate, we want to meet potential donors where it suits their needs – phone calls, coffee shop, in your own home, in our offices, via email or even writing letters back and forth.”

Do you want to know where funds are needed most, so your donation has the most impact? Just call your local OSF Foundation staffer – they would be happy to answer your questions and help you accomplish your aims, according to Reynolds.

There are no minimums or maximums to how much you can donate. Every little bit helps, and every donation is greatly appreciated.

Donating goes beyond money

If you’re not in a position to give money, there are other ways you can pitch in.

You can volunteer for OSF programs like the local community gardens in Ottawa, Streator and Mendota, or help people learn how to prepare fresh vegetables and make them a regular part of their diet. You can support us by attending our Annual Golf Outing or Fitness Run in Mendota or one of the many community events that we sponsor throughout the year.

You can also serve as an advocate for your community on an OSF HealthCare Foundation Council or a Hospital Community Advisory Board.

There are a lot of ways you can pitch in to make a difference! Visit the OSF Foundation website to see donations at work in your community and call your local OSF Foundation office to learn more.

Original source can be found here.

Source: OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center