More than 'a little something'

By Joe Cressman, Staff writer - Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspaper
Published: 12/22/06

Around Christmas, a lot of Bill Burr's customers want to send him a bottle of wine or a bag of roasted almonds.

As far as he's concerned, they can keep the fineries. Burr, of Elmhurst, would rather they send a wrapped toy he can give to children.

Burr, who owns S&W Manufacturing Co. Inc. in Bensenville, a maker of precision machine parts, recently mailed 2,600 letters to clients asking for presents. Over the last few weeks, more than 450 gifts rolled in.

"I think people just stepped up," the 44-year-old said. "I was really happy with the response. If we put a smile on two kids' faces this year, we did something good."

The response dwarfed previous years when Burr received about 100 gifts. He's been collecting and donating the presents to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago for four years.

Burr decided on a gift drive for the hospital after a friend's child received treatment there.

"When he told the story of what they did to save the kid, it was just eye-opening," he said. "I told my family we needed to do something for these kids. It's bad enough to be sick, but to spend Christmas in the hospital?"

With the help of S&W employees, Burr loaded the gifts onto a truck and delivered them Dec. 20 to Children's Memorial.

Ginger Wheeler of Glen Ellyn said Burr has put a lot of time and money into the undertaking.

"I just think it was a really great idea," said Wheeler, whose son plays ice hockey with Burr's. "It's a nice way to give back and help make the holidays a little more special for kids who really aren't feeling well."

Burr hopes to expand the gift drive in the future. For information on how to get involved next year, call S&W at (630) 595-5044.

"It's just a little something we can give," he said.

Teri Foster, children's services coordinator for Children's Memorial, said the gifts not only brighten kids' stays but are used for therapeutic play times.

"Everybody knows children love toys," Foster said. "It really makes a big difference here."

On any given day, Children's Memorial cares for several hundred kids. Donated gifts are either distributed through visits from Santa Claus or are stored for future purposes, Foster said.

View story on Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspaper website