EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. C October 31, 2007 C Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers recently received a generous $50,000 gift from the Hospital's Auxiliary. Since its beginnings, the Auxiliary of Little Company of Mary has worked to support the mission of the Little Company of Mary Sisters. The Auxiliary members have contributed to the development, growth and success of the Hospital through their various volunteer services, gifts and donations made possible by their successful fundraising activities.
The Auxiliary recently pledged a $250,000 gift to the Hospital's Maternity Services department. To date, they have raised $185,000 of their goal. The $50,000 check represented the proceeds from a variety of fundraisers last year. The Auxiliary's General Chaiperson Carrie Kelley presented the check to the Maternity Services Manager Mary Grimm, R.N., at a recent Open House event held at the Hospital.
'It is such an honor to participate in Little Company of Mary's Auxiliary,' explained Kelley, who has been an active member for 13 years and has served as the General Chairperson for the last two and a half years. 'As a lifelong member of the Evergreen Park community, the Auxiliary is a great way to give back to our community hospital that has been such a vital part of our family and our community.'
Later that evening, Dennis Reilly, Little Company of Mary President and CEO, announced plans for the new 'Women's Center for Life and Health, which include a new, state-of-the-art inpatient facility for Little Company of Mary's legendary maternity services, known as The Family Birth Center. The Center also will feature outpatient services for women's bone health, pelvic floor health, breast health and preventive cardiac care.
In 1960, the Auxiliary donated their first major gift to the Hospital, a cobalt unit for the treatment of cancer patients. In the following years, their gifts have included mechanical beds, scholarships for nurses, funds to establish the Hospital's gift shop and many other ongoing programs. This $250,000 pledge has made projects such as two new birthing rooms, support to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the purchasing of 3D Ultrasound machines possible. To learn more about the Little Company of Mary Auxiliary, please call (708) 229-5447 or e-mail Anne Cullen at acullen@lcmh.org.
