The Friends of St. Joseph's are those individuals, families, businesses and organizations helping to ensure the continuation of excellent healthcare for the people of Clinton County and surrounding areas by financially supporting the services, projects and programs of St. Joseph's Hospital.
On her death in 1890, Elizabeth Speckman of Breese left nine acres of land and $1500 for a hospital. The parishioners of St. Dominic Catholic Church took up the challenge and seven years later, a 2-1/2 story brick facility was completed at the cost of $18,000.
When that building became outdated in the 1960s, the community again rose to the challenge, donating $650,000 toward a new $3.8 million 103-bed facility built on land donated by two brothers, George and John Otke.
The Friends of St. Joseph's was established in 1989 to coordinate fundraising and seek contributions. Their efforts assure the availability of future health care services by underwriting the costs of programs, services and state-of-the-art medical equipment.
A division of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, the Friends of St. Joseph's is a non-profit organization under the 501(C)(3) federal tax code. All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations. Donations may be made payable to the Friends of St. Joseph 's Hospital, Breese.
A gift to the Friends can be used to honor friends or family members after their death or on special occasions and, when faced with a death, families can “leave a legacy” by designating memorials to the Friends of St. Joseph's.
Memorial envelopes are available at the hospital and from area funeral homes. Donations can be marked “In Memory/Honor of ___________” and mailed to St. Joseph's Hospital, c/o Community Relations, PO Box 99, Breese, IL 62230, or left at the hospital Switchboard in care of the Community Relations/Friends.
An acknowledgement is sent to the family or person designated by the donor; the amount is not disclosed.
Donors whose cumulative giving totals $500 and over and recipients of $500 in remembrance giving, are included on the Donor Recognition Wall.
An annual fall campaign provides an opportunity to support the hospital's current and future needs. Prior to the community campaign, employees take the opportunity of the “Caring Hearts” drive to financially support the Friends.
The Hope Chest initiative started in 2008 when each department director was asked to list items they felt would enhance patient care. Donors could then select something personally meaningful and contribute directly toward that item. Items ranged from $8 to $5,000.
Hope Chest items include:
Emergency Room |
Battery-Powered Aspirator |
$900 |
|
|
Intra-Compartmental Pressure Monitor System |
$1500 |
|
Social Services |
Lifeline Unit |
$800 each |
|
Senior Renewal |
Diagnostic Criteria |
$50 |
|
|
Group Materials |
$50-$75 |
|
Women and Infants Center |
Rocker/Gliders |
$750 each |
|
|
Flat Screen TV with DVD |
$1,000 each |
|
|
DVDs for children, adults |
$10-$20 each |
|
|
Sofa-Bed |
$3,000 each |
|
|
Sibling Center |
$5,000 |
|
|
Halo Sleep Sack |
$8 each |
All/some funds recieved |
Inpatient Unit |
Recliner |
$500 each |
All/some funds recieved |
|
White Marker Boards |
$20 each |
|
|
Portable Pulse Oximeters |
$350 each |
All/some funds recieved |
|
Refrigerator |
$500 |
|
Outpatient Care |
Treatment Recliner |
$2,000 each |
|
|
Copier |
$5,000 each |
|
Medical Imaging |
Blanket Warmer |
$2,800 |
Item Purchased |
|
Large Wheelchair |
$500 |
|
Laboratory |
Phlebotomy/EKG Chair |
$1,000 |
|
|
Centrifuge |
$5,000 |
All/some funds recieved |
Diabetic Care |
Home Video Guides |
$9 each |
All/some funds recieved |
|
Teaching CDs |
$125-$250 |
|
|
Patient Education DVD Library |
$129 each |
|
|
Basic Skills of Self-Care CD |
$200 |
For details, a Hope Chest booklet or to contribute to one of these specific items, contact 618-526-5439 or email Karyn Whitlatch.
Interested individuals can become a Friend in a variety of ways:
• Serve on a hospital board or council
• Volunteer through the Auxiliary;
• Support and participate in Friends events such as the annual golf tournament;
• Donate to the annual appeal;
• Remember the hospital when giving in honor or memory of a loved one;
In addition to cash donations, the Friends accept a variety of other gift options:
- Bequests & Estates
- Charitable Gift Annuities
- Endowments
- Property
- Stocks
- Trusts/Wills
As with all financial matters, giving and estate planning should be discussed with a professional advisor.
Recognition
All gifts received by the Friends are recorded on a cumulative basis continuing over the donor's lifetime and beyond, if memorial gifts are received. The Friends of St. Joseph's has established a variety of donation categories; a Donor Recognition Wall honors those who have given $500 and over.
| $50-$99 | Member |
| $100-$499 | Participating Member |
| $500-$1499 | Supporting Member |
| $1500-$4999 | Sustaining Member |
| $5000-$9999 | Life Member |
| $10,000-$14,999 | Advocate Member |
| $15,000-$24,999 | Benevolent Member |
| $25,000-$49,999 | Distinguished Member |
| $50,000-$149,999 | Distinguished Benefactor |
| $150,000-$249,999 | Distinguished Humanitarian |
| $250,000-over | Distinguished Founder |
Friends Board Members
Members of the Friends Board oversee Friends' activities. Current members include:
| Stanley Brandmeyer | New Baden |
| Tom Broeckling, Chairman | Albers |
| Jan Deiters | Breese |
| Tom Frerker | Carlyle |
| Bryan Marsh | Trenton |
| Michele Maue | Breese |
| Craig Revermann, DC | Albers |
| Timothy Schleper | Breese |
| Ann Schroeder | Germantown |
| Jean Vogt | Breese |
| Nancy Zieren | Carlyle |
Ad Hoc Committee Members include:
| B. Carson Hempen | New Baden |
| Irene Kruse | Bartelso |
| Jill Timmermann | Breese |
Contact Information
For more information, contact Community Relations/Friends:
Director Karyn Whitlatch at 618.526-5439 or email Karyn Whitlatch
