Fusion Tech Makes A Donation To Hetta Gilbert

Fusion Tech, a leading manufacturer of custom engineered food processing equipment and systems located in Roseville, Illinois, made a donation of $10,000 to the Hetta Gilbert Children’s Medical Organization of Des Moines County. Check donation presented (L/R): Kathy Bentz, Bonnie Gibson, Stephanie Heubner, Diane Stanbary.

Each year, Fusion Tech asks customers, employees, and the local community to vote on a charity to receive a donation. Since 2016, rather than send out Christmas cards that will eventually end in the trash, Fusion Tech uses that money to support a good cause. Previous year’s winners include: Rally For Reid, Homes for Troops, Warren County 4-H, Rainbow Riders, Hope Haven, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to name a few.

This past year, customers, employees, and the community were invited to choose between the American Brain Tumor Association, Downtown Partner’s Inc and Hetta Gilbert Children’s Medical Organization. The poll garnered votes from Facebook and LinkedIn plus an email sent to Fusion Tech customers.

Kathy Bentz, president and owner, stated, “We are proud to support such a great organization that is dear to my heart personally with a financial gift. We’re happy to assist in a small way by helping raise awareness and support for this great organization that cares for the children of Des Moines County.”

Hetta Gilbert History: Hetta Gilbert lived from 1835 until 1911. Her daughter, Cate, was born May 27, 1863 in Burlington, Iowa. Hetta formed the Norman Circle of King’s Daughters in 1866. She was President of the Norman Circle in 1896 and held the office until her death in 1911. In 1920, a Junior Norman Circle of King’s Daughter’s was formed by Cate, Hetta’s daughter. The group was formed for the daughters of original Norman Circle. In 1922, eleven years after Hetta’s death, the Junior Norman Circle of King’s Daughters was re-named in honor of the original Circle founder, Hetta Gilbert. The Circle was very active in supporting community hospitalization needs of children.

For many years, Hetta Gilbert Organization provided eye exams for the public schools. The resale first began in 1929 and raised a total of $30.00. The organization also used to hold an annual dance as an additional fundraiser. From 1929-1958 the sale was held at various rentable locations in Burlington. The sale has been housed at its current location of the Perkins Park shelter house since 1959. The sale has a long history of raising medical funds benefiting the needful children of Des Moines County.

Today, the Hetta Gilbert Children’s Medical Organization continues to provide medical assistance for the children of Des Moines County. We are the second oldest non-profit organization in Burlington and celebrating our 102nd year! We have 130 members who volunteer their time and items for the resale. Since 1990, we have raised over $500,000 with our annual resale. All the funds have been given to support the medical needs of Des Moines County children. The funds raised provide eye exams and glasses, lunch money, baby formula, diapers, car seats, dental services, diabetic supplies, prescriptions, dental care, doctor visits and many other unfunded medical needs that a child’s family cannot afford. We are contacted by school nurses, social workers, shelters, doctors’ offices and other organizations who work with Des Moines County children.

This year, the resale moves to the old Marshall’s location at Westland Mall Friday Oct. 18 – Sunday Oct. 20, 2024.

To nominate a non-profit to be part of the 2024 vote, email the name and web site of the non-profit to [email protected].