Skokie Hospital workers skip holiday gifts, give $10,000 to Niles Family Services

A stereotyped holiday gift like a pen or a basket of fruit may soon forgotten by the person on which it is bestowed.

Employees of Skokie Hospital chose to make a contribution to help the needy instead of receiving such a holiday gift, in the hope the act of giving might create a more long-lasting memory. They chose to donate $10,000 to .

The agency, which provides counseling and direct services to people undergoing financial and emotional turmoil, became the third annual recipient of Skokie Hospital employees’ desire to forgo holiday gifts and apply their cash value in a philanthropic effort.

Kristen Murtos, president of NorthShore University HealthSystem's Skokie Hospital, presented the $10,000 check Tuesday to Mayor Robert Callero and Seth Knobel, director of Niles Family Services, in a ceremony attended by agency workers, hospital employees and Village Manager George Van Geem at the Family Services offices.

The hospital employees’ contribution was so inspirational to Van Geem and his staff they also opted to do away with holiday gifts at their office party later the same day in favor of a $25-per-person contribution to Family Services’ food pantry. Niles Family Services is located in the same building as the and , in a government complex at the southeast corner of Oakton Street and Waukegan Road.

Knobel is used to smaller donors from Niles who usually wish to remain anonymous, such as one senior citizen who weekly donates canned goods with a  $25 monthly contribution. But his agency rarely receives such spectacular public contributions, and never one as big as $10,000.

“This is by far the largest donation we’ve ever received,” he said. “About a month ago, they had contacted us. We were very thankful.”

The donation was quickly committed to an urgent project and needy Niles residents.

“$5,000 will go to re-do our play-therapy room,” Knobel said. “A lot of the Barbie dolls are missing a leg, or we don’t have enough crayons. Art projects, doll houses, puppets, cars, things of that sort. The other half will go to help residents of the village in our emergency fund to help with bills that are past due, electric or gas, or rent assistance and transportation.”

The hospital’s contribution is now an annual tradition, said Murtos.

“We make a determination and try to give back to one of the communities and one of the organizations that support many of the people in need,” she said.  “We used to give holiday gifts to every single staff member and instead (we’re) giving those resources and directing those funds (to the $10,000).

“I am not stunned in any way. Our employees give of themselves, not only in what they do as part of their jobs every day, but on a consistent basis go above and beyond.”

Callero was impressed that hospital employees, not their management, prompted the gift.

“Every person working there is no longer going to get a pen saying ‘North Shore’ or a basket of fruit or a box of candy,” he said. “They gave that up and put it together.”

Finding support for people under the financial gun extended beyond the hospital donation. Knobel said a Niles family with 10 children was a regular contributor to his food pantry. But the father/breadwinner lost his job. The Niles Public Works Department, spearheaded by superintendent Fred Braun, raised $1,000 for the family for the holidays, to be used for winter coats and new shoes instead of electronic games or other Christmas gifts.

“They’re all straight-A kids – a very impressive family,” Knobel said.