SIH Teams Donate More than $12,000 to Toys For Tots

"This is the largest single donation that Toys for Tots has ever received," said Mark "Skip" Cosgrove. He and two colleagues from Toys for Tots joined staff from SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale on Dec. 12 to receive two cash donations. 

"We're here to receive the results of incredible generosity," he said. 

The fourth-floor surgical team organized a basket raffle to raise funds for Toys for Tots. The tradition has been going for years on the fourth floor. 

"Every person picked their own basket, their own theme, and do the basket from start to finish," said Ann Jiter, RN, BSN. The team spent weeks selling tickets for more than two dozen baskets--all with unique themes.

"She goes around to all the small Southern Illinois shops, which I think is great, to gather items specifically to Southern Illinois, whether it be goat's milk soap, certain lotion, certain barbecue sauces, whatever is specific here to this area," said Anne Randolph, RN, BSN.

Initially their goal was to raise $5,000, but they quickly raised expectations. 

"We screamed. We actually screamed. People ran to the room. They thought something was wrong," Jiter said. "So, we sold over 14,000 tickets, and we made $10,257."

Cosgrove says the local Toys for Tots organization serves five Southern Illinois counties and to help thousands of children every year.

"We were looking at decreasing the number of toys that we gave per child because we didn't have the resources to cover those demands. But a donation like this gives you some breathing room," Cosgrove said. 

"I'm so proud of this team. They not only take care of the patients of this hospital, but they care about the community and so evident in raising over $10,000. Couldn't be more proud and thankful to them for caring for the greater community of Carbondale," said SIH Vice President & Administrator Craig Jesiolowski. 

The SIH Memorial Hospital of Auxiliary also made a $2,000 donation to Toys for Tots. That doubles their donation from 2023. 

"It's very rewarding to see the hospital personnel come in and give so generously," Auxiliary Volunteer Anna Mary Rushing said.

WATCH MORE about the donations from local media below

WSIL:  Two SIH Organizations donate thousands to Toys for Tots 

KFVS: SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale staff raises $10,000 for Toys for Tots

The Southern Illinoisan: SIH Staff raises record $10K for Toys for Tots