MERCY ROCKFORD HEALTH SYSTEM: Mercyhealth Development Foundation Holds Successful Holiday Toy Drive

By Press release submission

Dec 28, 2019

Mercy Rockford Health System issued the following announcement on Dec. 27.

The Mercyhealth Development Foundation held its largest and most successful Holiday Toy Drive on Thursday, December 12, collecting more than 1,000 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 175 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 205 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 Level III (highest level) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, and those receiving care in the Emergency Department of Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside.

“Our Toy Drive is successful because of the continued support of the community,” said Jennifer Johns, Director of Mercyhealth Development Foundation. “Thanks to all our loyal sponsors and generous donors, the Foundation is able to provide Mercyhealth’s youngest patients with toys and games that will help distract, soothe and entertain them as they face illness or injury throughout the entire year.”

The Mercyhealth Development Foundation extends its gratitude to all the individuals and businesses that donated toys or made a monetary gift to the 16th annual Holiday Toy Drive, including Holiday Miracle Sponsors Epic Systems and Napleton’s Autowerks, Inc. 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, area Starbucks, Williams Tree Farm and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Original source can be found here.