Jilline Fearons, the Mattapoisett woman who organized and chairs of Food for Tots, and the teams from Fun107 and WBSM presented a check for $83,000 to leaders at Southcoast Pediatrics to mark the end of this year’s fundraising effort.  

Fearons presented the check to Keith A. Hovan, Chief Executive Officer of Southcoast Health, and Dr. Brian Sard, the chair of pediatrics on Dec. 5. 

Food for Tots was a monthly fundraising drive that took place from April to November and invited the community to dine out at some of the area’s best restaurants on the third Thursday of every month.

Participating restaurants donated 15 percent of their total revenue of the day to benefit pediatric services at Southcoast Health, which are provided in collaboration with Boston Children’s Physicians.

More than 31 area restaurants and 6 corporate sponsors participated, with the Atlantic Bistro and Brew Fish in Marion and The Inn on Ship Yard Park, Nick’s Pizza and Turk’s Seafood, and On the Go  in Mattapoisett participating as restaurants and Windswept and Yard Boss also making donations.  

Though the fundraiser did not meet it’s $100,000 goal, Fearons was still extremely grateful for the generosity of the community. 

“I am overwhelmed by the success of our Food for Tots campaign and proud to live in our community. The restaurants opened up their doors and their hearts to the children in our community and I will forever be grateful to them. When we began this campaign we never dreamed that it would grow to what we have today,” said Fearons, at Wednesday’s check presentation.

Hovan also recognized the fundraiser as a community effort. 

“Something really special happens when the community and health care work together. Through these efforts we have created more awareness for our pediatrics program at St. Luke’s while creating invaluable community partnerships.” Hovan said. “These funds aid us in our mission to deliver the best quality care possible. For that we are immeasurably grateful.” 

Townsquare Media, which donated significant airtime on FUN107 FM and WBSM 1420 AM to promote the drive and participating restaurants, was instrumental in not only promoting  but also in recruiting the community. Michael Rock of Fun107 said “We would walk into the restaurants and tell them about the program for Southcoast pediatrics in collaboration with Boston Children’s Physicians and before the first sentence was out they said ‘yes’.”

Jack Dresser, senior vice president of philanthropy and volunteer services at Southcoast Health said, “We are so grateful to Jill, the teams at Fun 107 and WBSM, the participating Food for Tots restaurants and the matching corporate sponsors in our communities for their generous contribution and efforts to benefit Southcoast Health’s pediatrics.”

Fearons plans to start Food for Tots again in April 2019.