Fundraiser raises $190,000 for pediatric services

MATTAPOISETT — George and Jill Fearons and their family announced 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 Sept. 22 at the Bay Club in Mattapoisett. 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.

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 Nursery 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.

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 SouthCoast, contact Tricia Grime at 508-973-5355 or grimep@southcoast.org.