DAN BERGER introduced Grayce Lechtenberg, wife of Rotarian VIC LECHTENBERG and community volunteer, and Mandy Pietrykowski, Riley Society Gift Officer for Riley Children’s Foundation. 
The topic was Riley Children’s Hospital, New Building & New Developments at Riley Hospital. Grayce began by asking how many in the room had experienced Riley because of a child in their life. Many hands went up. Riley is an important institution for our community. The hospital was named in honor of Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, who was born on this day in 1849. Today is his 165th birthday! The mission of the hospital is children’s health. At least 50% of patients are on medicare or are uninsurred. It is one of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the nation and the only one in Indiana. Rotary has had a special relationship with the hospital since the early part of the 20th century. Two hundred seventy six thousand Dollars were raised to build a building in the late 1920’s. The Gift of Life program through Rotary is facilitated by the doctors and nurses at Riley Hospital. Children are brought to Indianapolis for life saving heart surgery and medical teams are sent to Africa to teach their medical professionals how to perform the surgeries. Recently Indiana Rotarians raised $1.1 Million to support Riley programs.
Simon Family Tower is the newest addition to the hospital. The focus is on single family rooms. There is also a parking garage that charges only $2 per day – an appreciated savings for families who need to stay a month or more. The Foundation raises funds for kids because they want to be able to treat any child, regardless of ability to pay.
Judge Loretta Rush was recently recognized as a Champion for Children. The Indiana Colts are big supporters. Speedway Filling Stations are contributing $1,000 for each touchdown this season. Riley has more volunteers than all other IU hospitals combined. Grayce thanked Mandy for putting the slide show together for her.
