Published on March 23, 2023

Childerguild Donates $350,000 to Support Women/Children Services at Silver Cross 

Childerguild Check Presentation 2023
Verna Kitchen, Childerguild President (left) and Marcia Obman-Gray, Childerguild Treasurer (right), recently presented Tracy Simons, Executive Director of the Silver Cross Foundation, with a check for $350,00 to support Women & Children’s Service at Silver Cross Hospital.

Thanks to Childerguild’s recent $350,000 donation to the Silver Cross Foundation (the 501c3 fundraising arm of Silver Cross Hospital), several new additions—not just babies—will arrive at Silver Cross Hospital this year.  For the past 112 years, the ladies’ auxiliary has donated over $5.8 million to support women and children services at Silver Cross. 

Part of the recent donation will be used to purchase the following equipment and technology:

  • Central Monitoring System and two neonate cribs for the Pediatric Unit
  • Two labor and delivery beds and four Postpartum Hemorrhage Rapid Response Units for the Birthing Center
  • EEG Machine for the Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Breast Surgery Aspirator for the Procedural Care Unit 

“Thanks to the many guests and sponsors at our annual Ball and Gift Shop patrons, our Childerguild members are delighted that we could help purchase this much needed equipment for Silver Cross Hospital, said Verna Kitchen, Childerguild President. 

Long Tradition of Support

Founded in 1910 by 13 benevolent women who had no children of their own, Childerguild was formed to benefit the obstetrics and pediatrics departments at Silver Cross Hospital. 

In the early years, Childerguild raised funds through private donations and by hosting card parties. The members took a hands-on approach by sewing layettes and dolls for Silver Cross pediatric patients. During the war years, members knitted sweaters for the military and gave financial support to the American Red Cross, Navy League and the Salvation Army. As ardent supporters of the children in our community, Childerguild also made contributions to the Herald News free milk fund and the local community chest. They also provide continuing educational scholarships for Silver Cross nurses and other caregivers.   

Childerguild continues their mission today by operating the hospital’s gift shop seven days a week. Patients and visitors can find many unique items including jewelry, clothing, handbags, fresh flowers, cards, toys, books, candy and baby clothes. The ladies’ auxiliary also raises funds by hosting the annual Childerguild Ball, which is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2023 at The Odyssey in Tinley Park. For more information, call (815) 300-7472.  

In addition to the check presentation, at the annual meeting on Feb. 15, the organization installed new officers. They include: President Peggy Maruszak, Pat Crawley, Secretary Bobby Stevenson, Club Treasurer Marcia Obman-Gray, and Gift Shop Treasurer Lynda McShane. 

Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.