News

Rotary makes good on pledge to support new children's hospital

Posted June 09, 2009 11:00 pm

Schaumburg Hoffman Estates Rotary Club members presented Alexian Brothers officials with a $50,000 check Friday, the first installment in a five-year, $250,000 pledge toward bringing specialized pediatric services to the Northwest suburbs.

The group has joined with the Alexian Brothers Foundation in the campaign to build a new Children's Hospital on the grounds of St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

Alexian Brothers is in the midst of a $100 million capital campaign, launched in 2007. Hospital leaders said they would begin the hospital's construction once they reached 75 percent of their goal.

Officials confirmed that with the Rotary's latest contribution, they are more than halfway there, and are on track to break ground in early 2010.

"The Rotary Club is the civic chair of our capital campaign," says Brenna Noble of the Alexian Foundation. "To date, they are only civic organization to partner with us."

The check presentation came during a meeting when members also awarded $25,000 to 22 community organization, as part of their annual initiative. The club also awards nearly $25,000 each year in scholarships to students of all ages to continue their education.

In sponsoring the Children's Hospital, the 92 business members agreed to double up on their fundraising efforts for the next five years.

Where they had been working to raise $50,000 each year for community causes, now they've agreed to raise $100,000.

"This year, it's been more of a challenge," concedes treasurer Julie Clark of Elgin, "but so far we're meeting the challenge."

She said the club's members reached out to the community, and organized more fundraising events to meet their pledge.

"We all saw a need for a children's hospital in this area," says Clark, a cancer survivor. "The chance to have much more extensive pediatric services, and treat things like cancer and other diseases - and not have to go into the city - drew the membership's full support."

Ed Goldberg, president and CEO of St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, was on hand to receive the check, along with Alexian Brothers Foundation officials.

"We're thrilled to have the support of so many business leaders in the community," Goldberg said.

To find out more about the Children's Hospital, or to advance its construction by making a contribution, visit www.alexianfoundation.org.

Rotary gifts The Schaumburg Hoffman Estates Rotary Club awarded 22 grants to community organizations in addition to its gift toward a children's hospital. • $2,500 to Kenneth Young Center • $2,500 to Rebuilding Together • $2,000 to Children's Home and Aid/Schaumburg Child and Family Center for literacy • $2000 to Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence • $1,500 to Clearbrook • $1,500 to Journeys from PADS to Hope • $1.500 to Children's Advocacy Center • $1,000 to Avenues to Independence • $1,000 to Bridge Youth & Family Services • $1,000 to Chicagoland Head Huggers • $1,000 to Community Resource Center • $1000 to John Muir Literacy Academy • $1,000 to Shelter Inc. • $1000 to Special Leisure Services Foundation • $ 1000 to Hoffman Estates Health and Human Services Department • $750 to Harper College Educational Fund • $500 CEDA Northwest Self-Help Center • $500 to Prairie Center for the Arts Foundation • $500 to Renz Addiction Counseling Center • $500 to Spring Valley Concert Band • $500 to WINGS • $250 to St. Peter Lutheran School

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