Staff Report

ROCKFORD — SwedishAmerican held a toy drive in March to benefit Rock House Kids, a local not-for-profit organization that helps children in need by offering them a safe, warm and nurturing environment.

The toy drive was part of the SwedishAmerican nursing division’s Year of Giving and organized by the operating room team at the hospital. The department held a competition, dividing in four teams to see who could bring in the most items.

Several dozen items were collected, including boxes of Easter candy, scooters, bicycles, coloring books, chalk, basketballs, soccer balls, hula hoops and other toys. Staff members made the delivery to Rock House Kids on March 29.

“It really shows how we’re living out our mission of caring for our community,” said Latisha Washington, manager of surgery. “It also gives us joy just knowing that there’s a child out there that we’ll help make their Easter a little bit better when they receive these gifts.” R.