As part of Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center's ministry and commitment to building communities of healing and hope and compassionately responding to human need in the spirit of Jesus Christ, employees, physicians and volunteers collected school supplies to assist children in the area who needed them.

"At the Medical Center, we provide daily compassion and care to each person who walks through our door," says Deacon Ed Petak, Director of Mission Services at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. "However, we are also called to reach out to our community. The children in our schools are our future doctors, nurses, employees and volunteers. We are capable of giving them some of the tools they need to succeed, and our Medical Center family pulled together to collect school supplies for many children both in the public and Catholic schools throughout Joliet."

The drive, which was held for two weeks during August, collected folders, erasers, notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, school boxes, backpacks, and even some new school clothes. Over 14 boxes were filled and donated between the Joliet Public School District and Joliet Catholic Diocese.

"Hundreds of children will benefit from the simple donations that were made during our drive," says Petak. "I am proud to be part of an organization where people are so willing to give. One employee said that she and her children had a great time shopping for supplies together, and she had the opportunity to teach her children about giving and the importance of helping those in the communities - and school - which they are a part of."

Susan Porter (left) and Katie VanDuyne of the Human Resources Department at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center drop off supplies purchased for area children for the school year.