Troy's Toys Provide Gifts to Patients at Three Locations

A former patient and Shriner from Indiana is leaving a legacy of care at three of our healthcare system locations.

Members of Shriners International founded our Chicago location nearly 100 years ago. To this day, they provide governance and notable moments of support to our care and patients. Troy Simonton is a noble with Murat Shriners, the Shriners chapter which covers central Indiana. Each year Troy and his wife, Missy,  purchase thousands of gifts for our patients, most with their own money.

This spring, the couple drove four hours from Indiana to Chicago, to bring this year's toy donation to Shriners Children’s Chicago. On their most recent delivery day, they brought along Owen, a Patient Ambassador for Shriners Children's Ohio.

Mr. Simonton was treated at the Chicago hospital as a child after a car accident, where he required orthopedic surgery to repair a severely injured left hand. According to an article in the Murat Shriners magazine, he was also treated as a baby for a serious burn injury at Shriners Children’s Texas and later at Shriners Children’s Ohio, which was then located in Cincinnati. Years later, Troy and his wife began visiting the three locations to give back.

Simonton was proud of this year’s large donation. He worked with the potentate (the president) of Murat Shriners to increase the number of items being delivered. “The Hendricks County Shrine Club was very helpful, along with the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine," Simonton said.

As for advice to others who wish to donate toys or items, Troy said he coordinates each year with Mary McCauley, donations coordinator in Chicago, about when we have needs and what would be most helpful for our patients.

Another touching part of this toy story is that Troy and Missy use their days off from jobs at a manufacturing facility to carry out their generous mission and provide positive experiences for patients like Owen.