Childerguild Raises $315,000 for New Silver Cross NICU at 92nd Annual Ball
On November 20, friends of Silver Cross gathered – many for the first time in 20 months, to pay tribute to all the hospital’s heroes at the 92nd Childerguild Ball. Held at Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park, the Childerguild Ball is the premiere event of the holiday season and raises funds to advance women and children services at Silver Cross. This year’s gala raised a record-breaking $315,000 to help fund the construction of the Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit opening in 2022 to care for Will County’s tiniest and sickest babies.
The annual tradition of the Childerguild Ball began in 1928 as a fundraiser for the Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments at Silver Cross Hospital and keeps going strong thanks to the commitment of the members of Childerguild and many generous donors who contribute to make this event a great success. After taking a year off due to the pandemic, the Ball Committee, led by Childerguild Members Karen Eckert and Kay Langlois, chose to honor all the Silver Cross caregivers with a tribute video for their heroic efforts working tirelessly and under incredibly difficult circumstances to protect our community and keep us safe amid a global pandemic. Representing the employees at the Ball were Heidi Adducci, Service Ambassador; Misty Chouinard, RN, Intensive Care Unit; Cindi Goron, RN, Birthing Center; Matthew Jarotkiewicz, PharmD, Pharmacy; Cary Mateja, Supply Chain Technician, Materials Management; Janet Minuth, RRT, Respiratory Therapy; Sheila Monroe, Cook, Nutrition Services; Alexandra Phelan, Phlebotomist, Laboratory Services; Greta Roman, EVS Technician, Environmental Services; Sharon Sharp, Transporter, Central Transport; Terri Shines, Operating Room Technician, Procedural Care Unit; Nicole Sibick, Social Worker from our Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit; and Sandy Stanek, RN, 6:4.
John Phelan, Chairman of the Silver Cross Board of Directors, summed it up when he said that despite fears of the unknown and even fears for the safety of their families at home, these heroes never wavered from their responsibilities. They stepped up, pushed their fears aside and embraced new challenges and a whole new normal. Along the way, they tested, treated, and vaccinated tens of thousands of individuals for COVID-19. And they did it with grace, courage and kindness, earning the respect of all of us.
In addition to recognizing the staff, Dr. Alexander Sosenko received the 2021 Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence for Healthcare.
“It was Dr. Sosenko who brought pulmonary and critical care medicine to the greater Joliet community more than 30 years ago,” said Ruth Colby, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital. “He is unique in the way he collaborates with the nursing team, with respiratory therapists and other caregivers at Silver Cross – because of this he is highly respected by the hospital team and by his patients.”
The Silver Cross Foundation is accepting nominations through Jan. 31, 2022, for the 2022 Silver Cross Medals of Excellence. For more information, call (815) 300-7113.
The 2022 Childerguild Ball will be held Saturday, Nov. 23. For more information, call the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105.
About Childerguild
Over 110 years ago, a group of 13 childless women founded Childerguild for the sole purpose of offering support to the women and children who were patients at Silver Cross Hospital. Today, the volunteer organization of 61 women remains committed to raising funds by operating the hospital’s gift shop and hosting the annual Childerguild Ball. For membership opportunities, call Silver Cross Volunteer Services at (815) 300-7117.
