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The Clerk’s Office Conducts Annual Gift Drive

HONORABLE DOROTHY BROWN (second from right), Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, is joined by Stephanie Truax (far right) of La Rabida’s Children’s Hospital’s Major Gifts Office, and representing Advocate Children’s Hospital (left to right) Emily Vernon, Development Coordinator, and Melissa Cavanaugh, Manager of Child Life Services

Over 400 Toys Donated to Children Patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital and La Rabida Hospital

On Thursday, December 17, 2015, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County employees gathered to observe the send-off of more than 500 holiday toys and gifts collected through the Clerk Dorothy Brown’s annual “CCC Santa Drive for Children.”

The gifts represented the outpouring of care and compassion Clerk’s Office employees have for the young patients of Advocate Children’s Hospital and La Rabida’s Children’s Hospital, and all the other children who must spend the holiday season in hospitals and treatment centers.

Representatives from both hospitals attended the holiday gift presentation and expressed their gratitude to Clerk’s Office employees for their generosity and concern.

As the largest network provider of pediatric services in Illinois and among the top 10 in the nation, Advocate Children’s Hospital is a designated Pediatric Critical Care Center providing emergency care services. Melissa Cavanaugh, Manager of Child Life Services commented, “Because of donations like this we’re able to give toys out through the whole year, not just on Christmas. These gifts give children something to play with and share with their siblings and have a sense of family while in the hospital.”

Since 1869, La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides treatment for chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities, as well as specializes in the treatment of children who have been abused, neglected or experienced trauma, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. Today, La Rabida serves approximately 7,500 children annually who require primary and specialty care. “I can say first hand that these toys will put a smile on children’s faces, said Stephanie Truax of the Major Gifts Office of La Rabida Children’ Hospital. “More than 90% of our patients rely on Medicare. So donations from people like you are so important to still provide that full experience for each child; to make them happy and comfortable while they’re in our care.”

The Clerk’s Office created the “CCC Santa Drive for Children” in 2013 as a part of the Clerk’s Office holiday initiatives.

“I am overjoyed to know that Clerk of the Circuit Court employees may bring some delight to the children who are served by these two organizations. The CCC Santa Drive for Children has certainly been a joyous effort for us all,” said Clerk Brown.

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