Peter Mayer, Spikes Raise Funds For RileyMore than 1,000 kids from Warsaw went to Riley Hospital for Children last year, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Sperring.
Sperring and Riley CEO Dan Fink spoke briefly before The Peter Mayer Group concert at Spikes Beach Grill Thursday night. The concert was a benefit for Riley, presented by Spike's and Noa Noa. Sponsors also included Riley Children's Foundation, Ramada, Dane and Mary Louise Miller and Families & Friends of Riley's Hospital for Children.
"This is exciting for us," said Sperring in an interview. "Riley couldn't do what it does without the support of communities from around the state like Warsaw."
The services Riley offers is only possible because of local giving, Sperring said. It's what makes Riley what it is.
Sperring got into pediatrics in medical school. While he worked in different hospitals, once he worked at Riley, he realized there was nothing like it. He came to Riley eight years ago, he said.
"There's nothing like it because of the care we provide and the amazing connection to the communities around the state," Sperring said.
Fink said the concept at Riley is family-centered care, which started at Riley more than 50 years ago. It's really part of the culture of Riley, he said. The best way to give families assurance that their child is being well cared for, Fink said, is have the family be a part of it, which they do at Riley.
Sperring said he's been to many Riley benefits around the state. The hospital's Foundation has been great in developing leadership teams with great Riley families, he said.
Fink said they love to come to Riley benefits because they feel they want to tell people how much Riley appreciates their support. Without local support, Fink said what Riley does wouldn't be possible.
"We want to come tell people 'thank you' and how important it is to our success," said Fink.
While Thursday was Fink's first visit to Warsaw, Sperring has visited the city before, collecting feedback from local pediatricians on how Riley can improve their care to children.
"I've always been impressed with this place," Sperring said of Warsaw. He said the community has more of a sense of a close-knit family.
No one wants to think about going to a children's hospital, but if they have to, Fink said Riley wants to be the best experience they can get. People heal better if they have family around them, and Riley provides family-centered care.
During a concert break, Scott Woods, owner of Spike's Beach Grill, said he was pleased with the turn out.
"We are so blessed with the people that are here," Woods said. "It couldn't be any better. We've got The Peter Mayer Group here, on stage, in Warsaw."
Woods' family has been a part of the Riley family for many years. Now with the turnout Thursday night, he said more people are aware of what Riley does and are part of the family.
Thursday night's benefit was the sixth or seventh Riley benefit by Spike's, Woods said.
As Woods told the crowd, Woods' family became a part of the Riley family for the first time when his sister's child had to go down there about 10 years ago. His oldest son, Hudson, then had to go down there for a rare heart condition. Though Hudson died, Woods later had to take his son, Jett, down to Riley for a heart condition. Last year, Woods took his son Harper to Riley for general surgery.
"Now through your contributions tonight," Woods told the crowd, "you are part of our family and we sincerely thank you for being here."
For the past five years, Fink has been the CEO of Riley. He said he felt blessed and honored to be there last night to not only thank Woods and to hear his story, but also to tell the community what they do at Riley.
"Our focus is to make sure every child has world-class care. We can't do it alone, that's why events like this support what we do," Fink said.
Tomorrow's cures are just around the corner. When Riley attends events like Thursday's event and hear stories like Woods', that motivates them to do more.
"We're blessed in that a majority of our patients do get better and in their own way live very full lives," Fink said.
"If you're not a Riley family, you probably know someone who is," said Sperring. "Thank you so much. This is going to be a good night."
Peter Mayer Group recorded a song during the concert which will be sent to Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne. The song is expected to be used on the next Majic Miracle Maker CD benefiting Riley Hospital for Children. For more information about this CD collection, visit http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/majic_miracle_v4/
