Baskets of Blessings Being Delivered in the Region

HSHS Home Care & Hospice Southern Illinois and HSHS Home Care Central Illinois teamed up to prepare and deliver Baskets of Blessings to their home care and hospice patients. The deliveries will provide additional support due to the current impact that COVID-19 restrictions have had on the patients and their families.

More than 1,000 baskets are being delivered to patients in central and southern Illinois over a two-week period. Baskets contain fun items: games, puzzles, coloring books; treats: candy, snacks, fresh fruit; along with essentials: soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hygiene items. 

“During this onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult for our patients, a majority of which are homebound and depend on others to provide care for them. Caregivers typically assist them in their daily living tasks and provide them with a link to the community for their basic needs, such as food, hygiene products, and socialization, all of which has been limited during this time,” said Shawna O’Dell, executive director of post-acute care at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital. “These baskets are our way to share acts of kindness, care, and compassion as an extension of our Mission to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people.”

“Our home care colleagues develop close relationships with our patients and their families,” said Ann Derrick, executive director of post-acute care strategy for HSHS Central Illinois. “This project was a great way for us share a little joy from our heart to those we serve.”

Assembly and distribution of the baskets began Tuesday, March 31. Deliveries will continue until Easter. Many community partners helped provide items for the basket delivery including:

• Walgreens, Sherman, Ill.
• Julie Timm’s Gift Boutique, Springfield, Ill.
• Walmart (Manager Bob Lakin), Effingham, Ill.
• Heartland Dental, Effingham, Ill.
• Campos Family Dental, Effingham, Ill.
• Dot Behrns
• Dr. Kelly Haller
• Holiday Inn, Effingham, Ill.
• Effingham Hotels (Manager Mark Wildbur)

-       Fairfield Inn & Suites

-       Comfort Suites

-       Best Western

-       Hampton Inn & Suites

For more information about HSHS Home Care Southern Illinois visit hshshomecare.org. HSHS Home Care and Hospice Southern Illinois is a collaboration with sister hospitals HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, to provide home health services to an expanded region across the Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) southern Illinois service area.

For more information about HSHS Home Care Central Illinois, visit hshshomecarecentralil.org.