Gerald & Mary Lynn Flaherty gift will allow completion of area

Gerald and Mary Lynn Flaherty are known to many in the Peoria area because of his 43-year career with Caterpillar. Many may not be aware they are among those who know all too well what it means to have a child born early. All three of their sons were born prematurely and required neonatal and pediatric specialty care. For this reason, the Flaherty’s have, as Jerry puts it, “a soft spot” in their hearts for children in need and the organizations that care for them.

This soft spot led to their involvement with OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois and their decision to donate $500,000, which will fund the Rooftop Garden outside the Pediatric Critical Care Floor of the new Children’s Hospital building. The Rooftop Garden was in the original plans for the Milestone Project but was pulled due to the need to spend funds elsewhere.

Caterpillar is matching the Flaherty’s gift. The rooftop garden is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011.

“Jerry and Lynn Flaherty understand how important it is to create a healing environment for anyone who has to be hospitalized, especially children,” said Paul Kramer, Children’s Hospital of Illinois President. “The rooftop garden outside the 4th floor of the new Children’s Hospital will be a very special area. The Flaherty’s gift to make the garden a reality is a dream come true for all of us at Children’s Hospital because we know what it will mean for our young patient’s and their families.”

Jerry Flaherty has served on various OSF advisory boards and is impressed by the “Sisters’ Mission and all the good they do in the community.”