The Pekin Hospital League was founded in 1958 to raise money to help support the goal of building a healthier community. Over the past 67 years, the League has been able to provide more than $6,000,000 worth of equipment and services to the hospital, our community, and the local area.

In 2021 the Pekin Hospital League joined with the leagues from Carle Health Methodist and Carle Health Proctor to collectively pledge $1,000,000 to help in the development of the Trillium Place Young Minds Center in Peoria. This goal was met in 2024; and the league continues to support the center’s ongoing programs and needs. Over the past 5 years, the League has donated $233,000 to support the Young Minds Project. For the year 2025, we are again supporting the Young Minds Center.

The Young Minds Center, affiliated with Carle Health, opened in October 2024. It is a safe, supportive place for young people to receive compassionate help for mental health and behavioral concerns. The state-of-the-art center was designed to provide a welcoming and supportive care setting for patients ages 4 to 17. From assessment and intake — through specialty inpatient or outpatient mental health services – all patient services are housed in this one-stop location. Every detail of the building was designed to create a caring environment where kids and their families can find help, healing, and support. This facility is the only one of its kind located between St. Louis and Chicago.

The League has four main activities that provide the revenue for these donations. Two are fundraising events:  the Holiday Gift Show and the Garden Tour. The Carle Health Hospital League Gift Shop and the Nearly Nu resale shop are open year-round.

The Holiday Gift Show is a fall event that showcases items from the gift shop which include decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, silk holiday floral arrangements, decorative gifts, jewelry, clothing, accessories, toys, choice items from the Nearly Nu shop, items that are handmade by our members, a pantry with various baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth, and a silent auction.

In conjunction with the show, a raffle is held for some wonderful items. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Gift Shop and Nearly Nu shop as well as at the Gift Show.

This event has been held since the early days of the league. It has grown in size and scope since those beginning years. The gift show committee says that it takes many volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to make the show the success it has become.

The show this year is on Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th at the Pekin Moose Lodge. Hours for the show are from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The Hospital League Gift Shop, conveniently located just inside the main entrance of the hospital on 13th Street, offers a variety of interesting, eclectic, and practical items. 

Departments that make up the gift shop inventory include silk floral arrangements designed and made by league members, a large variety of gifts and seasonal decorations, jewelry, purses, clothing, hats/gloves/scarfs, toys, greeting cards, handmade items, and notions.

The shop is operated entirely by the Hospital League; and each department has a volunteer member who manages their product line from start to finish.

It has been said that the shop is one of the best-kept secrets in town. The Gift Shop hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our holiday hours will be on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from November 12 through December 17.

The Nearly Nu Resale Shop was opened in 1971. The shop is located at 1017 Derby Street. Hours at the shop are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All the items in inventory are donated and sometimes are very high quality. Items include clothing for all ages, jewelry, shoes, toys, purses, books, household items, gift items, linens, and other miscellaneous items. All merchandise items are great bargains.

Nearly Nu is a popular retail stop for many in Pekin and the surrounding area. Donations are accepted every month except December. Nearly Nu eventually cycles unsold items out of the inventory and donates them to other worthy organizations in the community.

The Garden Tour was added several years ago and has been very well received. Plans are already underway for next year’s tour in June.

The league was started with 38 members. There are currently 71 active members who are asked to give 100 hours of service each year which includes working in the two shops, assisting in any money-raising project where needed, and attending the regular meetings of the league. We are an all-volunteer organization with no paid employees. 

The League is always looking for new members who share our enthusiasm for wanting to help improve the health of the community and local area. For questions regarding the Pekin Hospital League and membership, please contact our membership chairman at 309-353-2138.