Spending the holidays in the hospital is just no fun. Just ask 14-year-old Oscar Almeraz of Aurora. But the stay can be a little bit brighter at Presence Mercy Medical Center thanks to boxes and boxes of toys donated by Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 582.

Almeraz was thrilled to receive a soccer ball and a NASCAR building kit just days before Christmas. Laborers’ Local 582 members donated nine big boxes of toys to their annual Toy Drive; so many toys that Presence Mercy Medical Center will have enough gifts to provide to young patients for months to come. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Kane County Board Member Brian Pollock joined Laborers’ Local 582 President Michael Bivins, Recording Secretary Jairo Gomez, and Bivin’s daughter Shannon to deliver the gifts on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

“The kids’ eyes just light up when bring a gift to them,” said Presence Mercy Medical Center Director of Women and Children Service Lisa Adamcyk. “We are so grateful to Laborers’ Local 582 for thinking of our young patients during the holiday season.”

This is the eighth year of the Laborers’ Local 582 annual toy drive. Bivins says members are always enthusiastic about making donations. Pollock praised Laborers’ Local 582 for making such a positive impact on Kane and Kendall Counties. “In addition to this wonderful toy drive, Laborers’ Local 582 gives back to the community all year round by donating their time and talents to so many local non-profit organizations,” said Pollock.

Toys will also be delivered to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin to provide to children in the Emergency Department.

Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 582 represents over 1,350 men and women in the Building Construction Trades in Kane and Kendall Counties of Illinois and throughout the state.

With family-friendly, patient-centered features like new private rooms and a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, Presence Mercy Medical Center is positively impacting the health of Fox River Valley communities. Offering 293 licensed beds and more than 450 physicians, Presence Mercy provides advanced services in cardiology, cancer care, behavioral health, GI, diabetes care, orthopedics, and maternal/child health.

• FEATURE PHOTO CAPTION: Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, Shannon Bivins, Laborers’ Local 582 President Michael Bivins, and Kane County Board Member Brian Pollock, deliver holiday gifts to 14-year-old Oscar Almeraz at Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora.