Friends of St. Joseph's

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. 

History

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When that building became outdated in the 1960s, the community again rose to the challenge, donating $650,000 toward a new $3.8 million 103-bed facility built on land donated by two brothers,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.

Remembrance Giving 

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.

Annual giving 

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.

Hope Chest 

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.

Becoming a Friend 

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


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© 2001-2006 St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese, Illinois. An Affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System