So many of you who receive these e-mails, which are then converted to a blog entry for retention and return for review, have indicated that what is most meaningful is to learn of situations in which real dollars donated go directly for serving real people with immediate needs.
Please know that privacy is paramount for patients being served by this charity when they arrive in Charlottesville for treatment. It is purposeful that protective measures in writing are in effect with each story.
There is a young woman from across the state who arrives on a midnight bus with her child, walks to a local hotel, and spends the night. The next morning she checks out of the hotel, walks to the UVA Medical Center where she is treated. Later that evening she walks back to the bus station for the long ride home.
I can tell you that the trips to Charlottesville have been more frequent. There are at least four more in 2011. This young woman has no one to keep her child so she can come this long distance; therefore, the child has no choice but to accompany the mother for this vital treatment, which is not available to her at this time near her home town.
Please know that I asked about any possible way that the child might be kept by relatives so that the UVA Hospitality House would be available to her. That option does not exist. The ONLY opportunity for coming for these increasing trips is when IHS books a hotel room.
This patient and child also have access to those full day Meal Packets organized through Margaret Gorman and kept in supply monthly in the UVA Medical Center Social Work Office.
Of course we worry about keeping the funding active for this individual, and the many others served monthly by this charity. However, today as I wrote this note I was more concerned that the trips for treatment for this young woman are more frequent, and that bus ride must be taking its toll.
Perhaps it is the company of her small child that makes those night trips bearable. I only know that we will never tell her social worker that her room is not available.
Thank you for listening ...
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
More Terrific Groups of Kids Lend a Hand!
The Helping Hands Service Club from Murray Elementary School, a group of 15 children, all 3-5th grades, delivered 75 full-day meals, plus 35 snack packets during their visit to the UVA Medical Center on May 4th. Clinical Social Worker Teresa Bevins hosted the group, showed the visitors where their production of meals is stored and answered a host of questions as to the value of their contributions.
Helping Hands was formed with a mission to introduce children about community and world needs, and what they can personally do to make things better. Teresa said that she was impressed with the group’s enthusiasm and desire to add to the Meal Program. She was really delighted to see them arrive for the presentation with their hands full of meal packets.
Jennifer LoCasale-Crouch and Adrienne Kim Bird run the Helping Hands service club. During early April Jennifer and Adrienne began communicating and working with Margaret Gorman who runs the IHS Meal Program. The children did a marvelous job of producing this large bounty, and then learned first-hand from Social Worker Bevins the numerous examples of how the meals will sustain so many caregivers in the hospital.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 129 from Henley Middle School is presently composed of 11 sixth grade girls (age 12). Jennifer Bryerton and Lynn Bradley are the adults leading the troop, which meets every other Sunday at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Ivy.
Connie Alexander, one of the Troop mothers, delivered Troop 129’s meal production to IHS on May 3rd. The girls produced 20 full-day meal packets and 32 single meal packets.
Lynn Bradley said, “The girls enjoyed planning the contents of the bags, shopping for items and stuffing the bags. We follow the good example of service to the community and feel that this effort is just a small step to help those who are recuperating or tending to sick loved ones at UVA Medical Center.”
First United Methodist Preschool in Charlottesville organized the 14 kids in the class for a very special first-time project. Each child was assigned the task of making one complete meal packet and the opportunity to make a card to insert into the complete packet. The class is composed of 3 and 4 year olds. The group must have involved their teachers, since the “one Child, One Packet” project delivered 16 complete full-day meals to Margaret Gorman.
Paige Lindblom, the school director, along with organizing teachers Megan Bisset and Mary K. Carroll, were proud of the children’s enthusiasm. Erin Rothman, whose son Elliott was one of the workers, produced a full meal packet for the project. Erin related that when she told Elliott about the idea, he helped her do all the shopping, including picking out the foods he thought would be healthy and good.
Thanks to everyone involved above. Your joint productivity has met our needs for May!
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
Helping Hands was formed with a mission to introduce children about community and world needs, and what they can personally do to make things better. Teresa said that she was impressed with the group’s enthusiasm and desire to add to the Meal Program. She was really delighted to see them arrive for the presentation with their hands full of meal packets.
Jennifer LoCasale-Crouch and Adrienne Kim Bird run the Helping Hands service club. During early April Jennifer and Adrienne began communicating and working with Margaret Gorman who runs the IHS Meal Program. The children did a marvelous job of producing this large bounty, and then learned first-hand from Social Worker Bevins the numerous examples of how the meals will sustain so many caregivers in the hospital.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 129 from Henley Middle School is presently composed of 11 sixth grade girls (age 12). Jennifer Bryerton and Lynn Bradley are the adults leading the troop, which meets every other Sunday at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Ivy.
Connie Alexander, one of the Troop mothers, delivered Troop 129’s meal production to IHS on May 3rd. The girls produced 20 full-day meal packets and 32 single meal packets.
Lynn Bradley said, “The girls enjoyed planning the contents of the bags, shopping for items and stuffing the bags. We follow the good example of service to the community and feel that this effort is just a small step to help those who are recuperating or tending to sick loved ones at UVA Medical Center.”
First United Methodist Preschool in Charlottesville organized the 14 kids in the class for a very special first-time project. Each child was assigned the task of making one complete meal packet and the opportunity to make a card to insert into the complete packet. The class is composed of 3 and 4 year olds. The group must have involved their teachers, since the “one Child, One Packet” project delivered 16 complete full-day meals to Margaret Gorman.
Paige Lindblom, the school director, along with organizing teachers Megan Bisset and Mary K. Carroll, were proud of the children’s enthusiasm. Erin Rothman, whose son Elliott was one of the workers, produced a full meal packet for the project. Erin related that when she told Elliott about the idea, he helped her do all the shopping, including picking out the foods he thought would be healthy and good.
Thanks to everyone involved above. Your joint productivity has met our needs for May!
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Why This Charity Is So Important!
Some days are simply more treasured than others. This was such a day, May 4, 2011. I went to the post office in Palmyra and found two letters in our box. One was that ever faithful monthly check from a small Catholic Church in Abingdon, Virginia. The other was a handwritten letter on lined paper, and folded multiple times, so as to keep it secret until opened.
On the outside in large letters the words:
In the almost three years since we began this effort, this is only the second personal note from someone who has received assistance. That is because IHS is not known by recipients. In this case, the recipient wanted to know from the social worker who to thank. Today was another pay day for all of us, including all the volunteers, donors, scouts and Sunday schools who make it possible for this family and so many others to have lodging and food. If not available, quite simply these trips would be postponed and vital treatment neglected.
This is why this charity is so very important.
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
On the outside in large letters the words:
"Thank You with Prayers and Appreciation and Love."
"Dear Rev. T. Wade Clegg,
Our family would like to thank you for furnishing us a motel room. If it weren't for you renting us that room in Charlottesville, VA, we would have not got to make the 6 hour trip there. My Mother nor I would have got to get to see our doctors. We also have a 2-year old and a 4-year old that has to make the trips with us. So we would like to say THANK YOU and MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU ALL. With all the prayers and appreciation for this. Thank you. Me and my whole family."
(This letter is signed by each member, even the pre-schoolers)
In the almost three years since we began this effort, this is only the second personal note from someone who has received assistance. That is because IHS is not known by recipients. In this case, the recipient wanted to know from the social worker who to thank. Today was another pay day for all of us, including all the volunteers, donors, scouts and Sunday schools who make it possible for this family and so many others to have lodging and food. If not available, quite simply these trips would be postponed and vital treatment neglected.
This is why this charity is so very important.
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
Monday, April 18, 2011
Never Too Young to be a Member of a Giving Team
Twelve (12) packets came from the Earlysville Children's Garden. The working group was composed of 12 children, ages 2-5. Each child made a card with a heart with their thumbprints and their name. As each recipient opens their meal packet from the Children's Garden, they will be greeted warmly with well wishes. Twelve (12) packets came from Daisy Troop 720, Broadus Wood Elementary School in Earlysville. There were 13 girls participating, ages 6-7. Individual handmade cards were also placed in each packet.
If you know anyone living in Earlysville, please click on "forward this e-mail" below, and allow others in that community to know how much their young people are helping others in need. If you know of other children's groups who would like to participate in the Meal Packet Program, information is as close as an e-mail to Margaret Gorman for guidance. Update on April Meal Packet Delivery On April 15th IHS delivered 136 full-day meal packets to Teresa Bevins, and restocked the Social Work Office food cabinet. The meal packets are accessed by all UVA Medical Center Social Workers as needed to eliminate hunger for caregivers, and any out-patients who may need assistance during prolonged out- patient treatment stays at the hospital. Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
IHS Gives Thanks to the Meal Makers
It is really a good feeling to know that full-day meal packets for April delivery to the UVA Medical Center Social Work food program is almost complete. Each month is an individual challenge, but so much of the food program load is now being balanced due to the enthusiastic participation of several scout, church and neighborhood groups. A big THANK YOU to the following participants ....
Last week IHS delivered an infant car seat and baby clothes for a one-year old which had not a stitch of clothes at the hospital or at home and was being released. These are always last minute needs, of course. As this note is being released, we received another call and have scheduled tomorrow a purchase of another infant seat and a stroller for a child from a family which has neither. This is what we do...because of YOU!
Blessings ...T. Wade, Elisheva & Sam
Cub Scout Pack 183 and Boy Scout Troop 3 in Louisa:
Teamed up for a tremendously productive Meal Packet Service Project. Their joint efforts provided 136 completed full-day packets, plus a large collection of assorted items.
Some key players in this project, and on-going scout activities, were Jim Snider, Pack 183 Cub Master; Harry Quarles, Troop 3 Scout Master; Karen Sewell, Pack 183 Committee Chair; and Wolf Den Assistant Brad Baber. The Food Lion at Lake Anna also donated to the project in order to purchase extra items to complete this large donation.
Tina Schweikart, Wolf Cub Leader and her son Connor (pictured to the right), a wolf, delivered their bounty to IHS Founding Member T. Wade Clegg III on March 27th. The photo shows Rev. Clegg and Cub Scout Connor Schweikart transferring boxes into vehicles.
Cub Scout Pack 206:
Under the guidance of Robin Kaczka, added to the March meal packet collection. Robin said, "We charged an entry fee to our Blue and Gold Banquet which was a food donation item. Each den was assigned a portion of the meal packet."
Cub Scout Pack 206 meets at Hollymead Elementary School and their Charter Organization is the Hollymead Parent Teacher Organization. They have 50 registered scouts from 1st grade through 5th grade. For more information the Pack 206 website is www.cubpack206.org.
Thanks to Sue Hietanen of Charlottesville, whose son is long grown and graduated from Boy Scouting, but she and her husband are still volunteers. Sue heard Margaret Gorman's presentation about the IHS Food Packet Program in December and decided to put together food packets on her own. Sue and a friend made 25 full-day meals for pickup this past week to add to the April delivery. She noted that there are so many problems in our world that we cannot solve, but helping out the people served by IHS is something we can do.
For those of you planning on participation and in need of contact, please send your e-mail to info@interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org as first recipient during the first two weeks in April. Margaret Gorman will be on a much deserved vacation with her family until about April 10th.
If you are too far away for making and delivering meal packets, please know that funds are used to supplement meal quotas each month as needed, or used for IHS's continuing need for securing lodging for UVA Medical Center outpatients and caregivers who come from great distances without funds to balance their stay.
And finally...Last week IHS delivered an infant car seat and baby clothes for a one-year old which had not a stitch of clothes at the hospital or at home and was being released. These are always last minute needs, of course. As this note is being released, we received another call and have scheduled tomorrow a purchase of another infant seat and a stroller for a child from a family which has neither. This is what we do...because of YOU!
Blessings ...T. Wade, Elisheva & Sam
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Social Worker Comments Are So Valuable ....
Allow me to share ...
a personal note from UVA Cancer Center Social Worker Vikki Bravo. Vikki's comments are gratifying, and although specific examples of our assistance are not possible due to privacy issues, the following note is appreciated. There is an increasing need to assist cancer outpatients who are staying for extended periods at UVA Hospitality House, and IHS is making every effort to assist with fees beyond temporary stays.
Vikki said the following:
This first quarter of 2011 has been just as active as the previous year for lodging and food requests. The full-day Meal Packet Program originated by Margaret Gorman has received marvelous support from several scouting and Sunday school classes, but funds for commercial lodging and assistance at UVA Hospitality House has been very weak over the last few months.
The holiday donations have run their limit, and we are very much in need of any contributions from friends who are not consistent monthly donors. If $25-$50 is possible in your giving fund this month, please know that it is needed.
Our personal funding continues ...
but larger weddings have tended to diminish over the last year. As most of you know, Elisheva and I are interfaith ministers who are full-time non-paid volunteers, and we allow a significant part of every private ministerial fee (weddings, vow renewals, memorials, funerals, baby ceremonies, private counseling, etc.) to be donated directly to IHS for a tax deductible contribution. This is our continued contribution which allows families to be a part of the giving, but periodic support presently is only coming from past family affiliations from these ministerial services.
Grant research is presently being pursued. We are hopeful that with the involvement in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) for state worker contributions this year that awareness of IHS participation as an eligible charity will have a favorable impact.
We are also hopeful that...
families, church groups, Sunday school classes, girl and boy scout troops will continue to contact Margaret Gorman for guidance in making those full-day meal packets for cumulative monthly delivery to the UVA Medical Center to meet caregiver needs. What a marvelous opportunity to engage any age group of children, and Margaret has extensive experience with such a program.
For those of you who are not in Central Virginia or have a group of adults or kids to support with their purchase and assembling of meal packets, then we would be delighted to receive a check to meet the range of unmet needs for people who come to Charlottesville to be served by the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
a personal note from UVA Cancer Center Social Worker Vikki Bravo. Vikki's comments are gratifying, and although specific examples of our assistance are not possible due to privacy issues, the following note is appreciated. There is an increasing need to assist cancer outpatients who are staying for extended periods at UVA Hospitality House, and IHS is making every effort to assist with fees beyond temporary stays.
Vikki said the following:
"There are often patients who come to the UVA Medical Center who have to be here overnight(s) and have no funds for lodging or food. Sometimes they cannot stay at our Hospitality House because the house is full, or because they are traveling with underage children, or other reasons. Without the help of IHS in providing a place to stay and food to eat, they would be unable to come here. There are many logistics involved in getting medical care here, including transportation, lodging, food, time, money, caring for children or pets at home, and missing work. These funds for hotel rooms and to pay for Hospitality House have made the difference between getting necessary medical care and not getting it. It's not enough to have great technology and great doctors and nurses. These other services are vital. Without these services, there are people who would be unable to come here for care."Thought you should know...
This first quarter of 2011 has been just as active as the previous year for lodging and food requests. The full-day Meal Packet Program originated by Margaret Gorman has received marvelous support from several scouting and Sunday school classes, but funds for commercial lodging and assistance at UVA Hospitality House has been very weak over the last few months.
The holiday donations have run their limit, and we are very much in need of any contributions from friends who are not consistent monthly donors. If $25-$50 is possible in your giving fund this month, please know that it is needed.
Our personal funding continues ...
but larger weddings have tended to diminish over the last year. As most of you know, Elisheva and I are interfaith ministers who are full-time non-paid volunteers, and we allow a significant part of every private ministerial fee (weddings, vow renewals, memorials, funerals, baby ceremonies, private counseling, etc.) to be donated directly to IHS for a tax deductible contribution. This is our continued contribution which allows families to be a part of the giving, but periodic support presently is only coming from past family affiliations from these ministerial services.
Grant research is presently being pursued. We are hopeful that with the involvement in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) for state worker contributions this year that awareness of IHS participation as an eligible charity will have a favorable impact.
We are also hopeful that...
families, church groups, Sunday school classes, girl and boy scout troops will continue to contact Margaret Gorman for guidance in making those full-day meal packets for cumulative monthly delivery to the UVA Medical Center to meet caregiver needs. What a marvelous opportunity to engage any age group of children, and Margaret has extensive experience with such a program.
For those of you who are not in Central Virginia or have a group of adults or kids to support with their purchase and assembling of meal packets, then we would be delighted to receive a check to meet the range of unmet needs for people who come to Charlottesville to be served by the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Crozet, VA Boy Scout Troop 79 Made a Big Difference This Month!
Their goal was to produce one hundred full-day meal packets in support of the IHS food program for caregivers and outpatients who come to the UVA Medical Center from all over Virginia, and more frequently from other states. Crozet Scout Troop 79 exceeded their original objective by producing 119 packets.
Such a project entails more than just the very deliberate buying of supplies, which represents a value of no less than $595.00. The attention to nutritious food purchases, the time and effort for assembling into gallon-size zip-lock bags with paper microwave bowls and utensils, then boxing for delivery, requires considerable organization.
Mike Marshall, editor of the Crozet Gazette, visited the assembly session and provided an article which is accessed below. Please take a moment to read about another important group of kids with a very giving attitude. Troop 79 is lead by Scoutmaster Gary Conley. Life Scout Ryan Evans organized the food collection. The supporting cast of up-front Scout mothers deeply involved were Jan Baer, Amy Evans and Margaret Gorman.
These specific meals were delivered on March 3rd to the UVA Social Work Office under the capable direction of Manager Noel Dianas-Hughes. The Social Work monitor of the IHS caregiver food program is Teresa Bevins, Clinical Social Worker in the UVA Pediatric Clinic.
Remember - any group (boy and girl scouts, church classes, school clubs, or neighborhood efforts) can add to the monthly collection needed to sustain this on-going program. For detailed guidance simply send a note to Margaret Gorman, the IHS Meal Program Guide at gormanmargaret@hotmail.com.
Don't forget...$5 buys a full-day meal; $10 provides a stay in UVA Hospitality House; and $50 allows for placement in a hotel room for these families in a desperate time in their lives. Yes - it is only temporary assistance, but all too often it is the only assistance available when a social worker calls.
We very much need your present attention to cover lodging and co-pay bills for February 2011. Keep us in your thoughts with even a small donation. There were no large supporting funding programs, as we experienced last year with Whole Foods 5% Day, which paid for winter lodging bills.
This season we are solely dependent on YOU...individuals who know us.
Blessings ... T. Wade
Such a project entails more than just the very deliberate buying of supplies, which represents a value of no less than $595.00. The attention to nutritious food purchases, the time and effort for assembling into gallon-size zip-lock bags with paper microwave bowls and utensils, then boxing for delivery, requires considerable organization.
Mike Marshall, editor of the Crozet Gazette, visited the assembly session and provided an article which is accessed below. Please take a moment to read about another important group of kids with a very giving attitude. Troop 79 is lead by Scoutmaster Gary Conley. Life Scout Ryan Evans organized the food collection. The supporting cast of up-front Scout mothers deeply involved were Jan Baer, Amy Evans and Margaret Gorman.
Remember - any group (boy and girl scouts, church classes, school clubs, or neighborhood efforts) can add to the monthly collection needed to sustain this on-going program. For detailed guidance simply send a note to Margaret Gorman, the IHS Meal Program Guide at gormanmargaret@hotmail.com.
Don't forget...$5 buys a full-day meal; $10 provides a stay in UVA Hospitality House; and $50 allows for placement in a hotel room for these families in a desperate time in their lives. Yes - it is only temporary assistance, but all too often it is the only assistance available when a social worker calls.
We very much need your present attention to cover lodging and co-pay bills for February 2011. Keep us in your thoughts with even a small donation. There were no large supporting funding programs, as we experienced last year with Whole Foods 5% Day, which paid for winter lodging bills.
This season we are solely dependent on YOU...individuals who know us.
Blessings ... T. Wade
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
