Sentinel 11-28-12

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Sentinel The Shorewood

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

ONLINE More news at shorewoodsentinel.com

Vol. 17 No. 51

Enterprise Publications • www.shorewoodsentinel.com

TIME TO MAKE YOUR MARK

Photos courtesy of Gina Staehely

Annual Staehely toy drive marks beginning of holiday season in Shorewood By Sherri Dauskurdas Staff Reporter

T

he annual Mark Staehely Foundation Toy Drive benefits patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital and Provena St. Joseph Medical Center. New, unwrapped toys for children ages newborn to age 18 will be collected all over the Shorewood, Joliet and Plainfield area until Dec. 15. The deadline for donations is Dec. 9. “These children and their families have come to count on this annual toy drive more than people will ever know,” said Susan Staehely, Mark’s mom and the force behind the continuing yearly tradition. “I am so happy that we have been able to keep our promise to Mark and continue his legacy but it would not be possible without the generosity of all the folks in this area. Anyone who would like to make a monetary donation can do so by sending

“These children and their

families have come to count on this annual toy drive more than people will ever know.” Susan Staehely, Mark’s mom. checks, made payable to the Mark Staehely Toy Drive to 21005 Ron Lee Drive, Shorewood Il 60404. “We use the money we receive to buy gift cards for older kids, as they are hard to buy for,” Staehely said. A true hometown hero, Mark Staehely was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer when he was 12 years old. He dedicated his shortened life to raising money for research and helping other children fighting cancer. One of his most significant contributions

was the toy drive be organized at Children’s Memorial Hospital in 2005. It was the largest toy drive the hospital ever had seen, and Staehely himself helped to distribute the presents to children and their families who have to be in the hospital at Christmas. He was honored by the Board of Directors of Children’s Memorial Hospital with the George D. Kennedy Leadership Award, and the yearly toy drive continues to this day. More than 30,000 toys were distributed at local hospitals in 2011. Toy donations are being taken at: • Troy Fire Dept. 700 Cottage Road (Route 59), Shorewood, • Shorewood Police Department, Route. 52, Shorewood, • D’Arcy GMC, 2022 Essington Road; D’Arcy Volkswagen, 2861 W. Jefferson; D’Arcy Hyundai, 2521 W. Jefferson, Joliet. Make Your Mark is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started in memory of Mark Staehely. The organization raises

funds for pediatric cancer research, supports Mark’s Treasure Chest programs, awards scholarship opportunities to local students and funds fellowships.

Time of the Season The Christmas season kicks off this week in Shorewood, with a host of holiday events and charitable programs. Village of Shorewood will host its third annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Shorewood Village Hall, One Towne Center. In addition to the tree lighting, the Troy Swing Choir will be on hand to entertain residents with holiday carols. The tree lighting marks the kickoff to another yearly event, the Village’s Sixth Annual Food Drive.The collection effort , organized with the Restoration Christian Church of Shorewood, will be open to See SEASON, page 2


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