Each year, in loving memory of his mother, future hall of fame major league baseball player and central Illinois native Jim Thome and his wife, Andrea, host a dinner and auction to benefit Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

The 2012 Joyce Thome Benefit for Children’s Hospital was held Saturday, January 14, 2012 in the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom and marked the 17th anniversary of the event. The fundraising evening was originally started by Joyce Thome. Jim changed the name of the event to honor her memory following her death.

A record breaking 800 people attended this year, raising more than $315,000 for the hospital including $100,000 received during the Live Auction to help fund an echocardiogram (also called an echo). An echo is a type of ultrasound test that is used to see different parts of the heart through moving pictures.

The fun evening included a program featuring Jim’s journey to hit 600 career home runs, becoming eighth on Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list.

Presenting partners for the evening are The Chicago White Sox, ATS, and Humana.