Four Straight Years of Grant Support has secured food needs for thousands of underfunded UVA Hospital Guests and Out-patients

As we entered 2015, the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) provided a Grant of $6,000.00. This grant is solely dedicated to our Food Program. With this grant the Fund has contributed a total of $34,000.00 in the last four years.  Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum (IHS) is just one of fifty-four (54) Organizations in Central Virginia area receiving $354,300.00 in grant awards as this New Year begins.  This Grant is impacting on two distinctive IHS food programs The UVA Hospitality House (HH).  The thirty(30) room facility which can lodge about sixty(60) people is the only affordable opportunity for lodging for indigent and unfunded long distance out-patients and caregivers who must come for treatment at the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville. UVA Hospitality House does not have a budget for food and kitchen related items, and is supported through donations. Although HH receives a small grant from the Emergency Food Bank, the most consistent supplier is IHS. And this specific grant has been the main reason for this charity's ability to secure a monthly fulfillment of needs for HH guests. The Full-day Meal Packet Program.  IHS stocks a large cabinet in the Office of Social Work in the main hospital, which allows UVA Social Workers 24/7 access to provide underfunded guests with proper nourishment. Presently, from 250-300 full-day meal packets are delivered monthly. This translates in an active use year to 3,000 packets, or approximately $19,500.00. The program is mostly a community effort, whereby churches, schools, clubs, scouts, day-care centers, businesses, hospital clinics and families buy and assemble packets and deliver to IHS volunteers to keep the cabinet full year-round.  When participation is reduced in summer and holidays, the Bama Works Fund is accessed to purchase supplies for maintaining consistent delivery to the Office of Social Work. A Special Letter from Mary Jackson, Supervisor, UVA Hospitality House "IHS support is crucial to Hospitality House. The other sources of food for our guests do not come close to meeting our needs. Your supplies are in such contrast to the contents of other donations, especially food like fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, cereals, and eggs - the kinds of foods that really help a high percentage of our indigent guests. Your personal attention to purchasing food as needed, and with delivery of items this past year from Whole Foods and Hot Cakes Restaurant was an added bonus for guests. The absence of budgeted funds for food leaves us totally reliant on contributions to help the increasing number of guests, more and more of whom stay in excess of six weeks. I could go on with proof of your importance, but let me repeat that what you do is absolutely vital to the well-being of our guests." To the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in CACF Committee ... Thank you for allowing this group of volunteers the needed funds to assist in the feeding of the least able visitors to our community. Sincerely ... ALL of IHS, the UVA Social Staff and UVA Hospitality House Staff

IHS to Receive The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Beneficiary Award

Martin Luther King Jr., 30th Annual Community Celebration will be held this Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 5:00pm at Mt. Zion African Baptist Church 105 Lankford Avenue, Charlottesville, VA   The 30th Community Celebration of Charlottesville has announced that its 2015 annual community beneficiary award recipient is the Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum. The celebration beneficiary committee selects and awards a local non-profit community service group or organization the proceeds from the celebration offering. The size of the award depends upon the size of the offering.                                 IHS is a totally independent, non-profit, non-religious, ALL volunteer, no stock, 501(c)3, public charity which was formed initially to serve indigent and underfunded long distance patients who must come to UVA Medical Center for treatment. The charity works closely with the Hospital Social Work staff which determines eligibility for assistance, especially for temporary lodging and food and has maintained a silent role as a 24/7 provider for meeting immediate physical needs as requested by a Social Worker at all hours every day since June 2009. Rev. Elisheva Clegg, Vice President and a Founding Member of Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum will speak to the gathering this Sunday, and express appreciation for the committee's expression of faith in the charity's efforts on behalf of serving the least able among us. The IHS slogan from day one of its formulation reflects the outreach which was in Dr. King's message. That message is "You don't have to know someone to be a friend." The Celebration committee will also announce at the gathering the 2015 recipient for The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Award which goes to a resident of the greater Charlottesville area who has demonstrated Dr. King's commitment to civil rights and to improving understanding between peoples of different races and ethnic backgrounds. The keynote speakers for this 30th anniversary will be two pastors who have been very active in the community for many years. Rev. LaVert Taylor, previously of First Baptist Church - Main Street, and Rev. Wayne Arneson, previously of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church - both of Charlottesville. The Community Welcome will be provided by Rabbi Daniel Alexander, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel. The Statement of Purpose will be offered by Dr. Teresa Sullivan, President, The University of Virginia.  The MLK Community Choir will provide spirited music for the occasion under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Spivey.

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Still a Productive Year for this Silent Charity

Today is December 31, 2014 ... and I received 138 e-mails reminding me that the deadline for providing a donation for tax deductible contributions is tonight.  I would so like to have the personal funds to contribute to so many worthy causes, but just as you, I have limitations. But - I am reminded by the quantity of requests of the devotion of so many who are seeking to make a difference for the least able among us. My suggestion is to read about the efforts of these charities, do your research, and feel confident that your dimes or dollars are making an impact. We are not going anywhere after Midnight We will be on standby 24/7 for Social Workers at UVA Medical Center for the underfunded and indigent patients and caregivers for some very specific needs when no other resource is available.  This morning at 3 AM I received a call from ER  that a patient was released and sitting in the lobby, very tired, nowhere to lie down, and her ride home to the Virginia coast would not arrive until early afternoon. The ER Social Worker, having explored possible placement into UVA Hospitality House without luck, simply asked, "Can you allow her a place to rest for the remainder of the morning until she can leave town. It's been a long day for her. She simply can't afford a room." Within 5 minutes, she had a room and access to a meal packet. A taxi took her to the hotel. The ability to react so quickly and positively is because of donors who read these e-mails. So - on behalf of the volunteers who have supported this non-paid ALL volunteer charity, THANK YOU so much for allowing this patient a place to rest, and a full day meal packet to sustain her until her arrival back at home. THANK YOU for allowing us to go to a most helpful Walmart and pick up eleven (11) infant car seats just yesterday for re-stocking the UVA Pediatric Clinics when called.  Oh... they did JUST call and say that "We have babies from  underfunded families who  need a car seat  to get home this week. Can you assist us?" The answer will continue to be ...  YES! In the weeks ahead I will seek to summarize those generous groups who have responded in the last two months to our calls for support with the food program.  Most individual donors who sent  funds for lodging, food, prescriptions, travel and pediatric needs do not wish to have their names mentioned, but we are so appreciative of  your generosity.  So much good was accomplished because of ALL of you in 2014.  NOW  (as we used to say in the 60's), THE  BEAT GOES ON! You can make your end of year contribution which is tax deductible until midnight tonight by clicking our DONATE BUTTON below, and remember your information to PayPal is completely secure, confidential and encrypted using all the newest technologies available: Sincerely ...T. Wade & Elisheva Clegg and Sam McLawhorn -   Founding Members IHS

A Special Request for One-Time Assistance from a UVA Social Worker

IHS has been given permission to acquaint its friends of a vital one-time opportunity to assist a patient.  IHS has very specific categories of on-going temporary assistance for the underfunded long-distance patients who must come to UVA Medical Center. This type request for a dedicated piece of equipment is an exception; therefore, this appeal is projected for your thoughtful consideration through your contacts as a family, a church, a club, a business, a school, etc.  With certainty the necessary funds to purchase this needed medical monitor can be obtained by casting a very broad net. Cast your net freely and with vigor! Please see my summary after reading the Social Worker request below: Please read the two notes below from Social Worker KC received in the last two days. First Note from KC: "I'm looking for info and resources regarding a patient I'm working with who is in great need for a Dex-Com 64 Platinum glucose continuous monitor.  Long story short, my patient has no income (her disabled kids have SSI), no health insurance.  Comes to UVA for diabetes management and education.  Her diabetes specialist very much wants the patient to have this device.   The company does not have an assistance charity program for this device. Any ideas or recommendations will be most useful. My patient has an older model but it is not working, parts cannot be replaced.  The company who makes this device tells me it comes in 3 parts:  2 parts are $599 each and third part which are the sensors are $399.  That's about $1,600 ...so, it's a chunk of change. I don't think shipping and tax is included. And trying to purchase this used, say on e-bay or Craig's List is too risky; it's also not good health care practice." Second Note from KC: "Patient has been trained on her old device and can master the new, upgraded one.  Physician sent me a clarifying e-mail this AM stating it's pretty essential the patient have this. She can monitor her glucose very very carefully with this device; she had it going 24/7.  She is the caregiver for 2 adult disabled children and she needs to be as sharp as she can be at all times.  Nighttime is very worrisome because she has had night-time difficulty with her sugars.  This device has sensors and has a transmitter and receiver built into it. Disability:  Patient did apply once, but was denied.  She wants to work.  She is trying to get approved by her children's Medicaid to be their Medicaid funded aide; therefore, she would get paid.  So far, she has been denied this, but she is still working this out.  She HAS to drive her two kids daily to Lynchburg (area of residence) for their jobs/workshops; no one else can do this.  So, even IF she could get some local job (and she has looked), she needs to be available to her kids and that is her priority in life. " Final Comments from IHS: When a UVA Social Worker calls, this charity will always reach out.  Equipment requests of this nature are unusual, and not within our budget. We supply infant car seats annually to UVA Pediatrics, and over the years we have rented electric breast pumps for uninsured mothers, bought specialized cribs, etc., however, unexpected expensive items require us to offer friends of the hospital an opportunity to reach a little deeper to assist a very difficult situation. This request can be secured with a group effort: The objective is $1,600.  All donations will receive a tax deductible letter. A group appeal among your contacts can achieve this objective rather quickly.  Sometimes a group can appeal for $100, singular donors perhaps $25-$50, and before you know it ... less than 50 people can make this gift a reality.  Social Worker KC will provide details for IHS to make a direct purchase for shipment to the patient. Final Note:  Please make payment to IHS P.O. Box 163 Palmyra, VA 22963 and indicate that your one-time gift is for "Patient Monitor."  Should this request draw more than the needed amount, your gift will be placed in the IHS Emergency Prescription, Co-Pay and Transportation Fund for indigent and underfunded patients.  Just sharing. If you should feel strongly and want to help NOW in this unique situation please take advantage of the automatic payment link below to be taken to a secure and encrypted website. From there you can specify that your donation is to "Patient Monitor". As you know, we do not ask lightly for support unless it is truly needed. Please remember that all of us at IHS are non-paid volunteers, and we are all donating what we can to IHS personally. Also remember - for transparency we hold the "Gold Seal of Approval" from the Guidestar.org national clearing house.     Thank you so much for this consideration.   Sincerely ...T. Wade & Elisheva Clegg and Sam McLawhorn -   Founding Members IHS

CVC Kickoff Is This Month!

IHS was invited to speak at UVA Advancement Office   Spring Damron, the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) Co-Chair for the University of Virginia Advancement Office at 400 Ray C. Hunt Drive in the Fontaine Research Parks, invited IHS to join one other presenter (Legal Aid Society) on October 1st to introduce what this charity does and how the money received is used. For those friends who are not located in Virginia, or not familiar with CVC, it is the payroll deduction contribution program for state employees. The University of Virginia and Medical Center is a state university. Terrific Turnout and Reception for Guest Speakers IHS was introduced to a sizable gathering by Ms. Damron with a showing of the charity's 6-minute promotional video, with follow-up comments from Elisheva Clegg. Ms. Damron said, "I'm sure my organization isn't aware that you exist, so this will be the perfect opportunity to tell them all about you." This was the first time in four (4) years as a CVC charity that an Office at the University has invited IHS to introduce itself, and it was indeed an important turning point. Perhaps more offices throughout the campus will extend a similar opportunity in the weeks ahead. The Campaign sign-up runs through December 2014. This charity is not known by those it serves, but it MUST be  known by more contributors IHS works to assist underfunded patients and caregivers with temporary immediate needs who must come to UVA Medical Center for treatment. The charity in essence functions as a "silent" charity for those who are being served, since needs are screened and approved and requested by the UVA Medical Center Social Work Office. Therefore, when a patient or caregiver is provided lodging, food, and other assistance in an immediate manner, the recipient only knows that their social worker has reached out to its resources to help with their stay at the Hospital. Remember -  a charity can function in a silent mode with its services, but cannot exist if it is so silent that there are no donors to support its mission. Special Attention to the CVC kickoff was provided by the Advancement Office Leader Robert Sweeney, Senior Vice President, for University Advancement, closed the October 1st meeting with some inspirational thoughts for attendees. His remarks on generosity for the least able among us gave added emphasis to the funds which state employees contribute annually.  IHS is a totally Volunteer charity, on call 24/7 to all UVA Social Worker staff; therefore, contributions from the CVC drive annually are a vital part of our funding. Thanks to Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Damron for providing this much needed exposure. On a final note ...  IHS will attend its first CVC Fair Opportunity later this week IHS will attend a tabletop display and provide handouts to extend exposure in the offices of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) in Glen Allen, Virginia this Thursday from 9:30 - 12 AM.  This will be the third straight year that IHS has been invited to meet and greet office personnel. Sincerely ...  T. Wade Clegg III, President, IHS

Fluvanna County Virginia Support Is Growing!

Multiple meetings with churches has been encouraging Summer contacts with a diversity of religious groups has been very productive. Congregation support generally comes through Mission and Outreach Committees, who are briefed on IHS's efforts to support the underfunded and indigent patients and caregivers who must come to UVA Medical Center from great distances for treatment. Once a Committee or Pastoral staff has details, then the full congregation is exposed for discussions which can lead to both funding assistance and participation in  IHS meal packet program. An Important Reminder Effort Baptist Church, Palmyra UVA Medical Center is a vital provider for residents of Fluvanna County.  There are so many personal ties to the main hospital or UVA satellite clinics.  In fact during every visit to a church or community group someone who is employed by the Medical Center has approached us with a warm greeting. This silent charity's very deliberate exposure is slowly finding enthused participants. A very large contingent of medical professionals reside at Lake Monticello. The IHS storage and meeting office is located at 105 Crofton Place, just outside the Lake community for ease of placement for physical donations such as meal packets. An early call for a meeting or drop-off can be secured with a phone call to (434) 589-4864 or by e-mail to  ihsanctum@gmail.com. A Special Note of Thanks to New Fluvanna Friends ... churches, businesses and individuals Grace & Glory Lutheran, Palmyra Effort Baptist Church at Highway 53 & Lake Monticello Road. Lisa Himes has served as the prime contact. The church donated $1,000 in June and followed up with a delivery of 50 full-day meal packets in July by medical professional Laurie Brock. Grace and Glory Lutheran Church along Highway 53 in Palmyra.  Jan Crowther has served as the prime contact. Jan delivered at total of 95 full-day meal packets during July and August. Donations also arrived from: The Cagle Family, owners of MAKCO INC. The Justin Wade Family, Accounting firm in Crofton Place Michael & Terry Hocevar  at Lake Monticello A Final Note As always, the summer months are among the slowest periods for receipt of meal packet production and donations. Help us get into a surge of activity for the final months of 2014. Access and download the revised Guide for introducing your church, school, club, scout troop, or family to this very valuable program for the least able visitors who must come to our community for medical support. Being hungry must not be an added burden upon arrival. For your convenience, the direct secure donation website link is provided below. Please feel free to use it for a secure connection to the IHS Donation Fund site for comfortable, private, safe and easy on-line donations.   T. Wade, Elisheva & Sam    IHS Founding Officers

IHS Email to Friends - July 27, 2014 (Correction)

I will make this short, but we do need your help. Most certainly this note is not for those who are already doing what you can. I know it sounds like a cliché or the same old thing as usual; however, we don't make direct requests with any frequency. Most newsletters are for reporting unmet needs and who is lending a hand. Staying ahead these days is truly challenging. We have a very real need for advance purchase of infant car seats. We've made more purchases this year versus last year at this time. The need to remain ahead when a Pediatric request is called is vital. We must seek to increase quantity purchases, versus a few at a time. Of even more concern has been the steady increase in costs for each unit. For those of you who have babies, you know well what the least expensive car seat can cost, and we do receive significant discounting with quantity purchases. As to lodging, we informed you that the UVA Hospitality House (HH) had to increase their fees from $1.00 to $10.00/night. It does not take a mathematical wizard to understand that those who did not have one dollar most assuredly do not have $10.00. HH is only a 30 room (60 bed) guest facility for a very large institution. When HH fills (which is frequently), the only alternative which is our responsibility is commercial. Hotel rooms before IHS began were not even a consideration for those we serve. When a social worker cannot establish lodging, the least able among us CAN NOT COME FOR TREATMENT. That is the stark reality, and why this note has such meaning. As to the food packages, we are still delivering between 250-300 full-day meal packages per month to the UVA Hospital Social Workers. We are one of the major suppliers of the UVA Hospitality House (HH) with their food needs and other items (laundry powder, paper products, etc.). The difference here is that food prices have increased steadily as well and the amount of people with unmet needs coming to UVA Medical Center has increased. By the way, another unmet need, because of reduced nonprofits who were dedicated to long distant travel, will mean more bus or train or gas cards to serve those who must come to Charlottesville for treatment. What has NOT increased is availability of grants and donations. We count ourselves so fortunate that Bama Works in CACF and J & E Berkley Foundation have been so consistent. According to the news media, donations to nonprofit organizations are down by at least 35% this year. Even the state payroll deduction program (Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign) for charitable contributions has decreased every year for three straight years. Our sustained growth depends on individuals, groups and church participation and sustained grants from present supporters. Whether once or twice annually, consistency is so important for a never ending need. Again, we do not ask lightly for support unless it is truly needed. Please remember that all of us at IHS are non-paid volunteers, and we are all donating what we can to IHS personally. Also remember - for transparency we hold the "Gold Seal of Approval" from the Guidestar.org national clearing house. Please do what you can. And, if you would like to donate now to our cause, please click the button below to go to our encrypted secure on-line donation form.   A Sincere Appeal ...T. Wade, Elisheva & Sam                                  IHS Founding Officers