The Gameball Run
Endowment Fund
A Community United for
OSF Children’s Hospital
Established in April 2024 by Stacy Litersky, the Gameball Run Endowment Fund (donor designated fund) was created to preserve and strengthen one of Morton’s most meaningful philanthropic traditions — Gameball Run. Stacy conceived the original fundraiser and led its launch, laying the foundation for a community-wide effort that continues to raise money and awareness for OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
What began as a simple fundraiser organized by the Morton High School boys’ basketball team has grown into something far greater. Over time, Gameball Run expanded to include fundraising efforts from all schools within Morton Consolidated Unit School District 709, engaging students from kindergarten through high school. Most recently, the girls’ basketball programs across the district have joined the effort, further strengthening the reach and impact of this remarkable event.
Today, Gameball Run stands as a powerful example of how a community can come together — across age groups, schools, and families — to support children and families facing serious medical challenges.
Purpose of the Endowment
The Gameball Run Endowment Fund provides annual grants that are combined with Gameball Run’s yearly fundraising efforts to support OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. By establishing an endowment, donors are helping ensure that the impact of Gameball Run continues year after year, regardless of fluctuations in annual fundraising.
Endowment support allows the mission of Gameball Run to endure:
A unifying, philanthropic event involving all schools, students, and the broader Morton community.
An opportunity for student-athletes to serve as ambassadors for Children’s Hospital while learning the importance of giving back.
A meaningful way to support an organization that has served many families and students within Morton schools.
Teaching Philanthropy Through Action
At its heart, Gameball Run is about more than dollars raised — it is about teaching philanthropy to young people and helping them see beyond themselves.
Each year, students across the district participate in creative, hands-on fundraising activities that make giving tangible and fun. These efforts include school-based challenges, merchandise sales, special events, and community partnerships — all designed to engage students while reinforcing the value of service.
One recent example highlights the creativity and generosity inspired by Gameball Run. At a Morton elementary school, students partnered with a local professional sports organization to support the cause. Players visited the school to help students assemble Gameball Run goodie bags — decorated by the children and filled with small toys — which were later sold at a professional home game. Proceeds from the bags, along with a portion of ticket sales, were donated to benefit Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
Experiences like this energize students and reinforce the event’s core mission: even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference.
A Proven Impact
Over the years, Gameball Run has generated extraordinary results. In February 2022, Morton celebrated a record-breaking 10-year milestone, raising $284,253.71 in a single year for the Heller Center for Kids with Cancer at OSF Children’s Hospital. At that point, the 10-year total exceeded $1 million, a testament to the generosity and commitment of the Morton community.
Each year, fundraising culminates around a Morton High School basketball game, where students, families, and supporters proudly wear Gameball Run shirts and celebrate the collective impact of their efforts.
Building a Legacy Through the Endowment
The Gameball Run Endowment Fund ensures this tradition continues well into the future. Gifts to the endowment are invested through the Morton Community Foundation, with the principal preserved and a portion of earnings distributed annually to support Children’s Hospital of Illinois alongside the event’s fundraising.
By contributing to the endowment, donors are not only supporting children in need today — they are investing in a legacy of generosity, compassion, and community service that will shape Morton students for generations to come.
Together, we are teaching our children that giving back is not just something you do — it’s part of who you are.
To make a tax-deductible donation to this endowment fund, you can:
Donate by check: Make it payable to Morton Community Foundation and mail it to 135 S First Ave, Morton, IL 61550. Please write “Gameball Run” on the memo line.
Make a tax-advantaged gift of stock…Visit our stock gifting page by clicking HERE.
For more ways to give, CLICK HERE.
Give online by clicking the button below.
Are you a Caterpillar Employee or Retiree?
The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to offer the year-round Matching Gifts Program to support their employees, U.S. retirees and board of directors in their contributions to worthy causes. Eligible Caterpillar participants may request an annual total maximum 1:1 match of $10,000 USD each calendar year to eligible charities to which contributions are tax deductible. The Morton Community Foundation is an eligible charity. So, if you are an eligible Caterpillar participant, you may submit any donations to this fund for an equivalent match, up to your total maximum of $10,000 per year. CLICK HERE to link to the Caterpillar Foundation’s Matching Gift website.