07/26/2025
Spreading holiday cheer starts early at Mercy Health — St. Rita’s! The hospital and staff just hosted the Summer Fun Toys for Tots raffle, which raises funds for children in need as part of the holiday Toys for Tots program.
St. Rita’s has been involved with Toys for Tots for 16 years, typically donating more than $10,000 for toys and necessary items such as winter coats, hats, school supplies and backpacks for children in the Lima area.
This year’s activity is coordinated by our Campus Police department and led by Officer Bryan Hoover and dispatch supervisor, Tracy Dyer.
“Toys for Tots is an opportunity for St. Rita’s employees to connect with the community in a meaningful way,” says Tracy. “We partner with local businesses and reach out to departments within the hospital for items to be used for our raffle. Monies collected are then used at the beginning of the holiday season and we personally shop for kids of all ages.”
As Tracy points out, the whole team gets involved, and many employees step up and want to participate in shopping. The hospital also places toy collection boxes throughout the buildings and off-campus facilities for new toy donations.
The Salvation Army then collects boxes of toys and they distribute them to families that have applied through the Toys for Tots foundation.
Over two days, the summer fun raffle raised more than $7,600.
“This event would not have been possible without the thoughtful donation baskets from our units, the contributions from our community partners and the participation of so many within our hospital family. The kindness and community spirit truly made a difference,” says Tracy.
The team is already working on ideas and items for its next raffle on Oct. 8 and 9 and plans to surpass its goal of $10,000!