Mattapoisett family raises more than $250,000 to support and expand healthcare services for children

George and Jill Fearons and their family are proud to announce that they have raised more than $250,000 in 2018 that will directly benefit pediatric services offered at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, and its partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital.

More than 525 guests helped to raise in excess of $190,000 at the Fearons’ third annual Pediatric Fundraiser on Saturday, September 22, at the Bay Club in Mattapoisett, Mass. This year, the Fearons also partnered with Townsquare Media – Fun 107 and WBSM – to create the Food for Tots program, which has raised more than $60,000 since April.

“It’s no secret that St. Luke’s Hospital serves one of the most underprivileged and complicated population of pediatric patients in the entire state,” said Jill Fearons. “Children come to St. Luke’s with a vast array of health problems and mental health issues, and unfortunately there are currently limited resources available. Our family’s goal is to help expand pediatric services, in partnership with Boston Children’s, so that every child, regardless of socio-economic status, can get the very best care possible right here on the South Coast.”

The Fearons have been staunch supporters of the services provided by St. Luke’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital since their son, Jack, was treated for a serious medical condition by both institutions in 2015. In addition to fundraising, Jill volunteers as a baby cuddler in the Level 2 Nursey at St. Luke’s, holding babies with birth complications, for several hours a night on a weekly basis. She also personally donates thousands of teddy bears to the St. Luke’s pediatric unit each year, as well as coordinates a teddy bear collection drive in the community in December.

“The response and support from our community has been incredible, and has far exceeded our wildest expectations when we first decided to hold this event,” said George Fearons. “We were so fortunate to have the resources to support Jack when things were at their worst. After we walked out of the hospital with him, Jill and I promised each other that we would do everything that we could to make that same experience possible for other families in our region.”

In the three years since the Fearons began actively supporting this cause, they have raised a total of more than $500,000. Every penny has gone back to the community.

For more information on how you can help support pediatric services on the South Coast, contact Tricia Grime at 508-973-5355 or grimep@southcoast.org.