News

Contact: Joan Hermes

STERLING, IL (June 26, 2019) – Superheroes are wanted to boost the lives of area kids who receive physical, occupational and speech therapy services at the CGH Pediatric Rehab Center.

Photo: The CGH Health Foundation Annual Appeal Campaign Cabinet has been announced. Each Division Chair is paired with children who have received therapy services from the CGH Pediatric Rehab Center, the main project of the fund drive. Front row, from left, are Clubs Division Chair Amy Downs, her mini superhero, Jaxson Vervynck, mini superhero Leo Loos, his mom, Community Division Co-Chair Angie Loos, and other mini superheroes, Johnny and Emme Loos, and Business Division Chair Patti Sword and her mini superhero, Harper Rosengren; Back row, from left, are CGH Employee Division Co-Chairs Geoff Wright and Lindsey Fiorini holding their mini superhero, Jaziya Balfour, Medical Division Chair Dr. Jeff LeMay and his mini superhero, Oliver Wadelton, and Community Division Co-Chair Mike Loos.

The focus project for the CGH Health Foundation is to fund $50,000 toward state-of-the-art therapy equipment for the Center. Organizers kicked off the “Kids Count…Superheroes Wanted” campaign this month, which features adult Division Chairs and their mini superhero partners, each of whom has received therapy services at the Center.

Mike and Angie Loos, Sterling, are leading the Community Division, along with their three children, Leo, 11, Johnny, 5 and Emme, 4. Other members of the campaign cabinet include: Patti Sword, Business Division, and her mini superhero, Harper Rosengren, 2,; Dr. Jeff LeMay, Medical Division, and his mini superhero, Oliver Wadelton, 7 months; Amy Downs, Clubs Division, and her mini superhero, Jaxson Vervynck, 5; and Lindsey Fiorini and Geoff Wright, CGH Employee Division Co-Chairs, and their mini superhero, Jaziya Balfour, 4.

Contributions are being sought from individuals, businesses, and clubs from throughout the Sauk Valley to fund 16 projects in all, serving about 30,000 children and adults. Overall campaign goal is $400,000.

“We are serving as Community Division Co-Chairs for the CGH Health Foundation Annual Appeal because of our heartfelt gratitude for all that the Rehab Center staff members have done for our kiddos,” said Mike and Angie Loos. “The care, compassion and professionalism of the staff is at superhero status! We can’t say enough about how passionate they are about their work. We are blessed to have them and this wonderful program right here in Sterling. They are such an amazing team!”

An immersive sensory integration room, an interactive light bright wall, a dynamic full-color interactive projector/motion capture system, and a portable unweighing gait trainer will be funded with the help of donors.

The new equipment will stimulate the imagination, allow innovative treatment capabilities, reduce fall risks, and promote interactive sensory experiences. Your contribution can help area children reach their greatest potential, according to Mike and Angie.

“Please support this wonderful project,” they said. “We can’t wait for all of this to take place, not just for our own kids, but also for the over 150 who are already patients. Our three children have been receiving therapy services at the CGH Pediatric Rehab Center over the past two years, and it has been a godsend for us!”

Other programs being funded include: pediatric mental health services at Sterling, Rock Falls and Milledgeville schools; Eyeglasses for Kids/Adults; Prescott Dental Clinic; cancer comfort care; Medication Assistance; Transportation Assistance; Women’s Health; Love on a Leash; Scholarships; Ways to Wellness; Cardiac Wellness; Workplace Wellness; Nutrition & Fitness/CATCH; Diabetes Education; and Community Health Network.

Won’t you be a superhero for area kids? To make a contribution, go to www.cghmc.com/foundation. For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Joan Hermes, 815/625-0400, ext. 5672, or email joan.hermes@cghmc.com.

-CGH-