The 38th annual Cheers! raised more than $38,000 to support the Sarah Bush Lincoln Volunteer Guild Scholarship Program, which benefits area students pursuing degrees in healthcare-related fields.
“The generousity of our community is simply amazing. While the SBL Health Foundation wasn’t able to offer an in-person Cheers! event, community members still recognized the importance of the Guild Scholarship Program. We are honored to distribute these funds to deserving students.” Kim Lockart, SBL special events officer, said.
The Foundation extends its gratitude to everyone who supported this year’s Cheers! event, including the following sponsors: Pay-it-Forward sponsors - The McCord Family Foundation, and Mary L. Gaskill; VIP 1 sponsors - Valerie & Brian Boroughs, Ron & Kathlene Harshman, J & J Ventures, Dr. Matt & Shasta Jones, K. Woltman Construction, and SC3F Wealth Management; VIP 2 sponsors - Agracel Inc., David, Marci & Blake Barth, Roger & Ann Beck, Jerry & Lana Esker, Dr. Mary Harvey & John Ligon, Leon & Karen Huffmaster, Jeri & Gary Morris, Ron & Debbie Saddoris, Tony & Debbie Sparks, and Bill & Kim Uphoff. Pay-It-Forward, VIP 1, VIP 2 and Event sponsors all received one-time scholarship naming rights for this year’s sponsorships.
Event sponsors included: American Boiler & Mechanical, Corbin Capital Partners LP, First Neighbor Bank, Mary L. Gaskill, Jean Jones, Linda Keeler, Monitor Sign Services, Brian & Jan Murphy, John & Edith Terwilliger, and Mattoon Area Family YMCA.
The Foundation also raised funds by selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Console & Wireless Controller, donated by Colt Gutheridge. And a second raffle offering a chance to win diamond earrings valued at $1,650 donated by Towne Square Jewelers of Chareston. Michelle Butler was the lucky winner of the gaming device and Kim Burgess, APRN won the earrings.
Since 1979, the Guild scholarship program has awarded more than $770,000 to provide scholarships to students in a 10-county area who are pursuing their education in medically related fields. Qualified areas of study include, but are not limited to nursing, family practice, medical technology, radiology, physical therapy, pharmacy, dietetics, medical coding, and speech pathology. The school to be attended must be accredited or recognized as an approved program. Scholarships are awarded for an academic year and are based on the student’s scholastic achievement, financial need and the availability of funds.
For more information about the scholarship program, contact Tracy Haddock, Volunteer Services Director at Sarah Bush Lincoln, at 217-258-4180. For more information about Cheers! contact Kim Lockart, special events officer in the SBL Health Foundation, 217-258-2511.