Every Day Allows for Giving Thanks

It's good to have a dedicated holiday to gather with friends and family.  All of us need a set-aside day to sit across the table and renew the bonds which bind. Sometimes it is that set-aside day which allows people to have time to travel. Sometimes people find themselves traveling away from home with far too few funds to support themselves, but their duty to themselves or a loved one must take priority.    Students push meal packets boxes up ramp, but one slipped off. Student shouted "Drop Zone!" Those people being served by Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum, Inc. have come to Charlottesville, Virginia with an abundance of hope. They are being treated for a very serious medical problem, or they are here as the closest  family member or caregiver,  waiting and hoping for a loved one's recovery.  Our purpose is dedicated to making sure that to the degree it is possible to offer temporary assistance as they establish a plan forward to balance their further need for lodging, food, co-pays and travel.  There are many in this community, inside and outside the UVA Medical Center, who are passionately dedicated to the welfare of these patients and families. To all of you who are among that Fraternal Order of Giving, we are so very thankful to be blessed with this opportunity to help secure these patients and families, mostly indigent, in a time of desperation. For those who have donated to IHS and other charities, YOU ARE THAT CRITICAL DIFFERENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO FUNCTION AND  FULFILL  OUR PURPOSE.  Thank you for Giving. A Very Special Class of Donors visited UVA Medical  Center last week Waiting for elevators up to UVA Social Office On November 15th a middle size yellow school  bus arrived at 12:15 PM at the UVA Medical Center's rear loading dock.  A space was  reserved  next to the rear entrance ramp for parking. The Henley Middle School Functional Skills Class, their teacher Amy Hovis, and several aids had arrived with the final boxes of full day meal packets from the past month's project at Henley Middle School in Crozet. That project and photos of their grocery store shopping spree is featured in IHS blog entry on October 28, 2011. The Skills Class has been instrumental in raising funds, purchasing food items and then assembling with other  students in a school project which produced more than 322 full day meal packets. The final 49 meals were delivered personally during the class's visit to the Medical Center Social Office. Clinical Social Worker Teresa Bevins lead the group to the special storage area  where the meals are maintained for access to all social workers for caregivers in their sections, especially in Pediatrics.  Ms. Bevins also Everyone gathered for a photo before leaving Social Office spent time explaining the procedures and benefits of the program , and how the class's donations are immediately available and used daily.  She indicated that no less than 100-150 meals are needed every two weeks. UVA Medical Center has been a special part of the lives of these particular students, and many saw professional staff whom they recognized just during the trip up and back to the Social Office.  To these marvelously giving students who understand the value of medical professionals, as former patients, and wanted to experience the completion of their  purchases and assembly sessions, right to the source where the need is fulfilled,  this visit was truly meaningful. Blessings ...  from all of us at IHS and our supporters