CAPTION TO PIX: Dave Newton (center), coordinator for the Children’s Miracle Network at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, was Tuesday’s guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  Kiwanis president Michael Evanchak (left) presided at the meeting; Kiwanis member and August program chair Martin Vota is at the right.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the coordinator for the Children’s Miracle Network at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, during their weekly luncheon Tuesday at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Dave Newton told Kiwanis Club members how the donor funds raised by the Children’s Miracle Network, get spent at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital.  Newton said the donations go for a variety of needs for pediatric patients such as kangaroo chairs for the neuro-intensive care unit, dolls that explain surgery, mats, balls, therapists, and the Healing Garden at the hospital.

Newton added that all the money raised thru area fundraisers during the year stays local, and that HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital serves over 50-thousand children a year.

Kiwanis members are reminded that starting October First, weekly meetings will be held at a new location, the Taylorville Moose Lodge, 720 McAdam Drive in Taylorville.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.