CHICAGO _ Bundles of joy born at 19 Chicago-area hospitals on Thursday will get bundles of cash.
Fifth Third Bank will give $1,053 gift cards to every baby born Thursday at the 19 hospitals in honor of the bank's namesake day (5/3). The bank is encouraging parents to put the money toward 529 college savings plans, but families will be able to use it however they wish.
The bank expects to deliver money to more than 200 babies.
This is the second year the bank has welcomed infants born on May 3 with money. Last year, the bank piloted the program in Cincinnati, where it's headquartered, bestowing cash on more than 100 Buckeye babies.
Parents in Chicago, the bank's largest market, also will get gift cards to online retailers and Fifth Third onesies commemorating their babies' birthdays.
As of Monday, Participating hospitals include: Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge, Franciscan Health Chicago Heights, Holy Cross Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital, Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, NorthShore University HealthSystem's Evanston Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Norwegian American Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, St. Bernard Hospital, Stroger Hospital, Swedish Covenant Hospital, University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park and West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park.
