Morris Herald-News

Morris Hospital wins ExxonMobil Philanthropic Award

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers was recognized as the recipient of the ExxonMobil Philanthropic Award on June 2.

The award is given annually by The People for Channahon Parks Foundation to recognize individuals and businesses who donate time, talent and treasures to improve the quality of life of their neighbors.

State Sen. Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) and Channahon Mayor Missey Moorman-Schumacher joined members of the Channahon Park District board, Foundation board members and other community members who support projects of the Foundation for a donor appreciation party at the Tomahawk Aquatic Center Friday night.

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers has donated $100,000 toward the construction of the Arroyo Trails nature park in Channahon which is scheduled to be completed in 2018.
The donation is earmarked for fitness stations along the walking trail.

The 78-acre park, which is located just west of the I & M Canal off U.S. Route 6 in Channahon, is planned to be a destination park where children, families, senior citizens, organizations and even members of churches and schools can discover nature, learn through play and have outdoor fun.

The park will include a myriad of nature-based play features, educational areas and an outdoor amphitheatre, among other things.

A comprehensive capital campaign has begun recently to help raise the remaining $1 million to complete the project. To date The Foundation has raised close to $1 million in lead gifts and pledges through community support from businesses and individuals.

Tricia Simpson, Midwest Public & Governmental Affairs Manager for ExxonMobil assisted in presenting the award to Mark Stedham, President and CEO,  and Rod Engstrom, Chairman of the Board,  of Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers.

This is the seventh year The People For Channahon Parks Foundation has presented the philanthropic award to a community member or area business.

"When the opportunity came along to support Arroyo Trails, we felt like that was a good fit for Morris Hospital," said Stedham. "It's our pleasure to be able to support the Parks Foundation."