Kids Giving to Kids: District 63 Students Donate to Advocate Children's Hospital
Officials from East Maine District 63 and its Stevenson Elementary School, located in Des Plaines, stopped by Advocate Children's Hospital on January 6 to deliver a $200 donation raised by students through a May walk-a-thon. The gift will support the President's Fund for Special Needs of Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge.
Dr. Scott Clay, District 63 Superintendent, joined Stevenson Principal Howard Sussman and Literacy Specialist Pamela Sarandos, Stevenson's Parent-Teacher Liaison, to present the check to Advocate Child Life Specialists Kevynne Chawla and Antonette Brandes. "All 480 students - from kindergarten through sixth grade -- participated in the walk-a-thon," explained Sussman. "It's truly gratifying to see our kids empathizing with other kids in need."
"District 63 is an integral part of this community, and teaching our students how to give back and engage with community partners such as Advocate is a District-wide priority," added Dr. Clay. "It's a natural fit - especially as some of our students have benefitted from the hospital's care."
Emily Vernon, Advocate Children's Hospital Development Coordinator, was delighted to receive the donation, noting, "We're really touched by this gift from the students - and it's a great match for our Fund for Special Needs, which helps provide all of our patients and their families with the best possible health care experience. Generous donations help us buy medical equipment, train caregivers, offer support services, and provide financial assistance."
East Maine School District 63 offers a rich learning environment and multicultural perspective to more than 3,600 students in the diverse communities of Des Plaines, Niles, Glenview, Park Ridge, and Morton Grove. Committed to teaching excellence that provides all students with the specific opportunities they need to succeed and thrive, its six elementary schools, junior high school, preschool, and afterschool programs foster each student's academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth and achievement. Visit www.emsd63.org to learn more.
As part of Advocate Health Care, Advocate Children's Hospital is the largest network provider of pediatric services in Illinois and among the top ten in the nation, serving as a major referral center for infants and children. Through a special, holistic approach, the Hospital combines some of the country's most respected medical talent with exceptional and compassionate care. In fact, the children's hospital has been recognized by "U.S. News & World Report" as one of the nation's leaders in pediatric cardiology and neonatology, and numerous physicians have been cited as being among the "Top Doctors" regionally and nationally in their respective fields.