Last week I wrote about all the get-togethers that occur this time of year and even mentioned a few. I’m not finished. I bumped into Barb Phelps recently, and she asked me to write something about the 50th anniversary on Monday, Dec. 1, of Snuggles, the stuffed pink elephants that members of the Elmhurst Hospital Guild make and give to the kids being treated at Elmhurst Hospital, Center for Health or one of its branches.

Phelps is the chairwoman of the Elmhurst unit of this volunteer group and said, “I got involved 25 years ago, then gave it up when I got too busy with other things. A few years ago, the Guild called and asked for my help again, so since then I have spent time each month with other Guild members, including Delores Sherman, Nancy Ward, Gladys Parry, Nancy Borngraber, Marion Denny and Lorraine Farrington, stuffing about 15 pink elephants, which measure about 10 inches by 8 inches. I cut the patterns and paint on the details ahead of time and give them to Delores to sew.”

These ladies are all very dedicated and often hear from former patients about how they still have the Snuggles they received as children. Phelps told me there was a lovely tea at the Elmhurst Center for Health on Nov. 13 to honor 70 Guild members who have made Snuggles during the past 50 years.

I spoke to Guild Chairman Patti Spencer, who made some remarks at the tea, and she told me that one of the volunteers, Winifred Gotman, has been making Snuggles for 50 years when Isabelle Kellogg first began experimenting with several different stuffed animal patterns to make something to give to pediatric patients. Her son, Rusty, chose the pink elephant and named it Snuggles.

Spencer said that over the years Snuggles has changed very little and that Snuggles has been given to more than 78,000 children. She also said that special Snuggles Christmas ornaments have been made this year to adorn the Christmas tree at the Pink Elephant resale shop, as well as the tree in the Surgical Waiting Room at Elmhurst Hospital.

6th annual Holiday Kick Off for Kids

The River Forest County Club was alive with the sounds of music and laughter while supporters of the Elmhurst Holiday Kickoff for Kids, dressed in everything from business attire to some truly fancy plumage, gathered to eat, drink and be merry while bidding on one live and two silent auctions.

This event is fun because there are no assigned tables, so guests are free to enjoy the elegant buffet upstairs while perusing the silent auction items and also to go downstairs to sample the sumptuous desserts. Holiday Kickoff for Kids has raised more than $300,000 over the past six years to benefit the Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation, Children of Ray Graham Association, the Sky Ranch for Boys Foundation, the Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

I asked Alderman Steve Morley, who with wife, Nancy, are among the many event co-chairs, why he got involved.

“I liked the fact that this is an Elmhurst-based charity and I know where the money is going and also know some of the families who have benefited.”

Morley went on to tell me that Kickoff for Kids would not exist without the vision and energy of Mike LaSpisa and Bill Paschen.

Elmhurst Police Detective Steve Weatherford, there with wife, Connie, agreed with Morley’s statement and said, “You would be surprised at how many Elmhurst families need help.”

I also spoke briefly with Don Jacobson, the chairman of the board of the Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation since 2000.

“I was looking for a way to give back to the community and wanted to be involved in a local charity that would involve Elmhurst,” he said. “I’ve lived here since 1967, and I love this town and feel lucky to live here, so I wanted to be part of an organization that would have an impact on Elmhurst.”

There was plenty of time between gathering quotes and eating to take a photo of Heather Stalker and her friends Angela Fisher and Chris Janes, as well as chat with Tonja and Michael Patorelle, Carol Snyder, Dave Carta, Park Board President Colette Kubiesa with husband Ken, Park District Board Vice President Chris Healy and his wife Kirsten, and Aldermen Susan Rose and Chris Nybo.

Send comments and ideas to elmhurstovereasy@comcast.net.