A Case Profile and First Quarter 2012 Update ...

Another example of why we are called for lodging assistance Individual cases are altered for privacy, but it serves for you to know those situations whereby no other charity or hospital opportunity exists to assist. IHS responds immediately 24/7 to UVA Social Workers. All requests are screened and approved by Social Work staff.   Case Profile:  Received a call late night from social worker KR, who was trying to make a plan for a patient who lives about 200 miles from UVA Medical Center.  Procedure would be scheduled for a morning, but because the patient would necessarily need to be in a room for immediate access to a private restroom for the overnight flushing of the patient's system, this eliminated staying at UVA Hospitality House (HH) for the one night prior to the early morning procedure.  Hospitality House does not have private restrooms, but is configured more as a dormitory, and this very personal preparatory method causes problems for jointly used restrooms.  Only option:  A local commercial hotel room. The patient's only opportunity for the procedure is in Charlottesville. The patient is Pay Grade 1 (indigent) and not able to pay for a commercial hotel room. Patient has secured a friend with a car to drive and stay with the patient the night before. Also, the patient is not permitted to drive after the procedure which is about four hours one-way. Social Worker Exchange at 10 PM:  "That's the situation in order to have the patient secured and present for the scheduled morning procedure.  Hospitality House can't accommodate this situation. Do you think you could assist?"    IHS Response:   "Certainly ... just get me the details for making a reservation." Social Worker Return Call:  "I have spoken with the patient and she is so appreciative for this assistance.  Patient actually started to cry." Prominent numbers regarding  IHS Lodging Assistance (Jan. - Mar 20, 2012) January 2012  Total nights booked in commercial hotels:   7    which served 9 people                     Total nights assisting at Hospitality House 13   which served 2 people February 2012 Total nights booked in commercial hotels:   6     which served 10 people                     Total nights assisting at Hospitality House: 112  which served  6 people March 2012    Total nights booked in commercial hotels:    10    which served 17 people          No Hospitality Rooms booked in March to date (March lodging through March 20) Update on Infant Car Seats, and a new unmet need in Pediatric Clinic Baby Car Seats:  January-March  20, 2012:  IHS delivered  9  infant car seats and 2 very small infant car seats  to UVA Social Office for Pediatric Clinics.  Balance remaining in stock: 5 regular infant car seats. Electric Breast Pumps: January-March 20, 2012:  IHS was asked to assist those mothers in Pediatrics who are not insured for electric breast pumps and have an immediate need from 1-2 months. IHS secured rental for two women during this first quarter of 2012.   Update on Food Program (January - March 20,  2012) UVA Medical Center IHS Food Program:  During this period a total of 538 full-day meal packets were delivered for access by all Social Workers through Clinical Social Worker Coordinator Teresa Bevins. Full-day Meal Packet items are purchased and assembled by volunteer groups. Cost for making one meal packet is about five dollars. The lead contributor for this quarter and the major annual contributor in Charlottesville was the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist  Sunday School students with marvelous church support. The Key Club of Western Albemarle High School in Ivy, Virginia was also a donor in February.   UVA Hospitality House Food Program:  During this period  total food purchases were $709.14. IHS consults with the Hospitality House Manager weekly to insure that adequate food supplies are in house for indigent patients. IHS delivers from 2-4 times monthly as supplies are required.   IHS Food program:  For groups such as Scouts, Sunday School classes, Day Schools, School and Private Clubs, Businesses, etc. who would like to participate during the year, please access the following link for a description of the program and another link for downloading a guide for making a full-day meal packet. This is an on-going project in need of many participants. http://www.interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org/food.php FINAL REMINDER:  Unless specifically indicated, money donations are directed to the general fund to cover lodging accommodations, co-pay and after hours prescriptions.  The "Baby Fund" account and "Food Fund" can be designated  by a donor when a donation is sent by check or PayPal.  Contributions by U.S. Postal System to:  IHS,  P.O. Box 163, Palmyra, Virginia 22963. Thanks for your on-going consideration ... T. Wade Clegg III

Children Involved with Serious Giving

Exceeding Expectations - Notes from Margaret Gorman Teacher & Students working together The children of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist  in Charlottesville, Virginia  spent the month of February examining the issue of "Justice." They explored the issue of economic justice and hunger, and they assembled meal packets to donate to the IHS.  Our goal was for them to put together 100 full-day meal packets over three weeks and budgeted for this amount. However, at the end of the first Sunday we were astonished to find the children had used up all the supplies and we had 100 meal packets ready to put in boxes for the UVA Medical Center .   Scrambling to increase the numbers We scrambled to purchase supplies for another 100 meals. We thought this first group of children was unusual in their zeal and efficiency. We were wrong. After our second week we found ourselves with combined total of 181 complete meals sitting in boxes ready for the hospital.  Our church's Social Action Committee picked up the bill for our cost over-run but we still had another week of Justice lessons. We went shopping again for supplies and the Religious Education Program absorbed the cost. Looking over foods to be assembled into packages Who would have thought? On the final Sunday we had very young children - first and second grade - assemble meals. We did not think they could put together 100 meals and prepared to ask the teen youth group to finish the task another week. Well, we were wrong. You can see photos of this group of children at work on our final Sunday. Note how happy they are! And efficient! The only bottle neck was they are still young writers so it took them extra time to write their greeting cards. Fortunately our photographer, Mike, stopped by the classroom and heeded the pleading looks from the teachers to help put the cards in the bags and seal them for storage. The total number of meals was 282. Kids assembling packages together making a difference Involving all ages in the giving programs This is a fun and rewarding activity for all ages. Our church has now had children as young as two and three, and through our seniors, participate. Everyone understands what this is about and why it is important to help people who come to our community and  need our assistance. I would encourage any group of friends, scouts, clubs or churches to put together any number of meals for the IHS. The 10 meals we received from a preschool are just as welcome as the 282 that our church put together in our meal packet assembly line. A Final Reminder This program had a theme to explore and a minimum objective. When the enthusiasm is high and parents and church committees are prepared, the kids are a force to behold.  Visit the IHS Food Program and  link for what is involved.  Set a realistic objective and  pick a month when your church, club, business or scout troop can add to the numbers.  Remember - IHS needs about 250 meal packets every month. Thanks for your attention ... Margaret

February Assistance Noted - March Planning Active!

Infant Car Seat Project making a difference The following note was received on February 23rd, the day after delivering two more infant car seats to the UVA Social Work Office.  IHS  has delivered eight (8) infant car seats since beginning the "Baby Program" in December. Social Worker EB wrote, "I  gave out two car seats this week to women with very difficult situations. They were both very appreciative. One was brought to tears. She had been so worried about not having a way to get some of the things they need. I am very judicious about car seats, as I want patients to be responsible for their own as much as possible. I had two situations in this one week in which it felt really good to have car seats to offer. Thanks so much.  EB" Cosco Scenera seat, a truly reasonable investment A Big Thanks to Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Daniel Dias, with the DJG Institutional Sales Team in Foxboro, MA sent IHS  six(6)  FREE Cosco Scenera infant car seats, which arrived by Federal Express on February 20th.  DJG does not have an official grant program, and mostly only donates to a local Safe Kids Coalition; however, Daniel said he would ship 6 seats to help our efforts.  NOW  we have those six seats in storage just as we gave out the first seats donated by friends of IHS.  Thusfar, thanks to the DJG donation, we have now obtained 14 seats.  Thanks to Daniel for his quick response! Infant Clothing Receipt last week for Baby Program Another objective is to keep enough infant clothing on hand for these same infants when they leave the hospital.  Dawn Cleveland of Ivy, Virginia provided three boxes containing over 140 baby clothing items.  Thanks Dawn for this sizable contribution.  Service Project at Western Albemarle High School Notes from Margaret Gorman  Western Albemarle High School The Key Club at Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia assembled 50 full day meal packets at their meeting on Thursday, February 16th. The club received donations for this activity from Harris Teeter Grocery Store (Crozet), and from the Great Value Grocery Store (Crozet) and Sam's Club in Charlottesville. Club members also brought in items for the meal packets. This service project was organized by Key Club member Angela Li. We are very grateful to the students in the club and to the other Western Albemarle High School students who came to the club meeting to help assemble the packets. Your concern and actions mean a lot to the people at the University of Virginia Medical Center who received your support. Thank you. Louisa Cub Scouts Gearing up for March Food Assembly Session Notes from Louisa, VA by Tina Schweikart On March 27th Louisa Cub Scout Pack 183 and Louisa Boy Scout Troop 3 will combine their efforts to assemble full-day meal packets for the Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum (IHS) Food Program for caregivers and families who come to the UVA Medical Center with patients from long distances without adequate funds for eating. Twice yearly in March and October, Pack 183 hosts an "assembly line" production to collect and assemble meal packets for IHS. Each time, one local Boy Scout Troop joins the effort.  Cub Scout Pack 183 is lead by Pack Master Jim Snider which currently has 59 boys registered.  Troop 3 is lead by Troop Master Harry Quarles, and is a long standing troop in Louisa.  The boys and their families meet at the Louisa Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia  at 6:30PM. Meal Packets consist of healthy options for breakfast, lunch & dinner, as well as snacks and side dishes.  Each item is "ready to eat" or requires only hot water or a microwave to prepare. For a detailed list for review and download, visit the IHS website Food Program page. Then after reading about the program, click on the link for the handout.    If you wish to contribute to meal collections, or for more information on our combined scout efforts in Louisa,  please contact Tina Schweikart, Bear Cub Leader with Pack 183 at  jtschweikart@aol.com  or 540-894-9854.  Thanks so much!   Sincerely ... T. Wade

Some Points of Clarification ... Well Worth Repeating

UVA Medical Center is one of two Virginia Hospitals offering state-supported opportunities to those often referred to as Pay Grade One (indigent category). This institution is also a major center for a vast number of specialists in every medical discipline who can offer diagnosis and treatment not possible in vast numbers of towns and communities in the State of Virginia. Vikki Bravo, a Clinical Social Worker in the UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center (ECCCC),  offered this comment last year, and it is still  relevant today: "We work with many indigent patients, who even if they receive discounted or free care, cannot afford the expenses of lodging, food, gas." She added, "Sometimes they can stay at our Hospitality House, but if there are no openings, or they have children under 18, they need to stay in hotels. We are fortunate that the University of Virginia has a state-supported discount system, but if a person can't afford to get here or stay (and eat) overnight, then all the other benefits don't help." How far are patients traveling to secure this lifeline at UVA Medical Center? UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center When we speak of lodging assistance for people coming from a "distance," many people don't realize how far these patients must travel for medical assistance which is only provided to them in Charlottesville. Once again, planning for that decision for vital treatment so far from home presents a tremendous challenge for families already under water financially.   We reviewed just the last 45 days for a partial list of those hometowns of patients, with the majority being served in the UVA Hospital's Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center.  This sampling of distances included Danville, VA (138 miles);  Freis, VA (197 miles); Jewell Ridge, VA (266 miles); Ransom, WV (157 miles); Springfield, VA (105 miles); Coal City, WV (200 miles); Alexandria, VA (112 miles), etc.  The average distance was 176 miles one way for fifteen (15) patients and families which IHS assisted with lodging in this 6 week period.   Most  of these patients, already experiencing very real limitations, are driven by a caregiver. Others arrive alone via a Medicaid vehicle or commercial bus. A few long term cases actually must bring a child with them when no one is in their life to assist. Appointments are critical to their well-being, and many do repeat visits.   Almost three years dedicated to 24/7 contact for UVA Medical Center Social Workers IHS activated an open line for the UVA Social Staff in April 2009. The objective was to have one dependable charity which would respond with temporary assistance for lodging, food, and overnight emergency co-pay and prescriptions. It is an understatement to say that this can be a challenge for a few people available solely as volunteers every day and night of the year. However, we have managed to balance personal lives to stay at the task.   The Full-day Meal Packet Program Assures that No Caregiver Goes Hungry Thanks to Margaret Gorman's wonderful involvement with IHS in late 2008, beginning with the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday School classes, she engaged other churches, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, and even neighborhood groups to make full-day meal packets. These meals are placed  in the UVA Medical Center Social Office every two weeks to serve those caregivers without proper nourishment stranded with patients. Food Program is on-going in 2012 ... and always in need of active participation Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church Margaret's TJMC UU Church just delivered another 52 meals from the Youth Group assembly session on January 22nd.  Thanks to  Morgan, Emily, Esther, Jarad, Patrick, and their leaders Amy, Carrie and John.  The Church's Religious Education Program is presently involved in another assembly session to provide another 100 full day meals in February.   A belated mention goes out to Boy Scout Troop 36, which meets at Charlottesville's First Methodist Church.  Back in late December, Troop Leader Don Kimpel, delivered 50 meal packets which were collected for use in January.   As a Final Reminder ... Where to Find Details for Participating and Making Meal Packets! The menu options are expanding on the website Home Page by clicking onto http://www.interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org,  which says "Welcome."   Across the top of the Welcome page is the designation: Food Program. This offers a full description of the Meal Packet Program and the food program for the UVA Hospitality House. There is now a link in the Meal Packet Program on one page for down-load which describes the program, how one can be involved and a complete list of potential items to include in making a gallon size zip lock package.  Whether a family, class, club or scout troop ... the objective is still 250 meal packets monthly to meet present needs.  We would truly appreciate your involvement.   Sincerely ... T. Wade

Please Read What the Doctor said, and More ...

February is off to an active start, especially for lodging assistance for indigent patients staying for up to 30 days at UVA Auxiliary Hospitality House (HH).  Chemotherapy treatment can take many days, and although an exceptional room rate is allowed for these distance patients, their personal funds simply can't sustain them. Also, you will be pleased to know that our every other week food delivery to HH is so appreciated. I know it is, since Mary Jackson, Manager, tells us weekly. Response from Dr. Douglas Willson, UVA Children's Hospital Following the last e-mail and blog entry regarding the support of children in the UVA Hospital, Teresa Bevins,  Clinical social worker in PICU and 7 Central at the UVA Hospital (and the Social Work  coordinator with IHS  for our patient and caregiver programs), received the following letter.  It is a delight to share it with you. From Douglas F. Willson, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Anesthesiology            UVA Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Critical Care            UVA Health Services System, Charlottesville, Virginia Re: Car seats for children Dear Teresa, I couldn't be more supportive of your project to get car seats for children. I've been practicing Pediatric Critical Care now for 30 years and over that time I have seen a steady decrease in the numbers and severity of infants injured in motor vehicle accidents. While some of this comes undoubtedly from safer cars, much of it is attributable to effective car seats. Even with safer cars, an infant not secured in an effective car seat becomes a projectile. Because of their relatively heavier heads and lack of muscle strength the most common injuries we see are severe brain trauma and spine injuries. These are tragic. It is the old adage about, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  I've often thought that for the cost of providing care - often long term care - for one infant injured because he/she was not securely fastened in a car seat we could supply every infant in Charlottesville and surrounding counties with a car seat for the next decade. This, of course, ignores the human tragedy.   I believe that the ability to provide care to injured and other critically ill children is very important to society. However, if the choice were between preventive efforts such as car seats and support for critical care, preventive efforts would be my priority. No child should ever be in a moving automobile without being securely and safely restrained. For infants this means a quality car seat appropriately installed. I would ask that along with providing the car seat the parent(s) be instructed how to install the seat.    My kids are older now (and always wear their seatbelts), but they were ALWAYS in a car seat while in the car when they were little. I remember one time pulling out of the driveway and my daughter had not yet buckled herself in. She became hysterical, crying, "I'm not in my car seat!" That should tell you how much I stressed to my kids that this was important. They got the message. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do to support you in this endeavor. This is a great thing you are trying to do and I commend you for your efforts. Sincerely, Doug Willson, UVA Children's Hospital (ORIGINAL WAS SIGNED) Quick Update on Baby Program As of January 30, 2012, this past Monday, IHS has delivered four (4) new infant car seats. As of February 3, 2012 (Thursday) we purchased four(4) additional seats to be delivered as needed for Teresa Bevins to keep in the Social Work Office for use by all Pediatric Clinics for indigent families in need at the time of their infant's release. A consistent helper, UVA Hospital Loading Dock Manager, Jimmie Glasgow, assists Teresa Bevins, Clincal Social Worker, and monitor for the IHS Food Program and Baby Program with delivery of new infant car seats delivered as needed by Rev. T. Wade Clegg III of IHS. Mr. Glasgow has responded enthusiastically with stacking bi-monthly full-day meal boxes onto dollies for transport to the Social Work Office for the last year, and secured parking when school visits were arranged for children to visit Ms. Bevins for briefings.   Our objective for 2012 is still thirty (30) seats, and of course infant clothing (new or not so new for ages 3 -36 months); therefore, any individual, business, church, school, class or club, etc. can donate $35.00 and  dedicate that donation for the Baby Program.  IHS will purchase a new infant car seat and deliver to the UVA Hospital as the calls dictate the need.  We will always deliver two seats at a time in order to have an extra seat readily available. Remember - for more details on the program, refer to the blog entry of January 20, 2012. If this present article is already on the blog by the time you are reading Dr. Willson's letter, then click on the blog site and scroll on down to that introduction to the IHS Baby Program.  The charity blog site is http://www.interfaithsanctum.blogspot.com.  Sincerely ... T. Wade

Have you been waiting for the right time to participate? That time is NOW!

It's So Easy to Make a Difference in an Infant's Life   Very precious cargo needs protection! Infant patients cannot be released from the UVA Medical Center without an infant car seat. It's the law. There has been no designated program for this indigent need; however, many families simply cannot afford this absolute requirement of a safety restraint system or a minimum amount of clothing when it's time to take their babies home. IHS is seeking to meet this "unmet" need. What is the IHS objective? When Teresa Bevins, BSW, in the UVA Children's Hospital asked for our increased involvement last November, we asked how many infant car restraint systems (car seats) would be needed in the course of one year. She immediately came back from speaking with all pediatric clinics, and  the emergency room that about thirty (30)  infant car seats was their best guess for 2012.   Previously, professional staff members had scrambled  to quickly pool their pocket money to purchase an individual infant car seat and some infant clothing.  IHS was involved throughout 2011 with collection of new and "like new" infant clothing for children 3 - 24 months, thanks to three main donors, namely Drs. Robin and Lee Kubersky of Philadelphia, PA; Tina Schweikart  of Louisa, VA; and Dawn Cleveland of Ivy, VA.  Collectively several thousand dollars of clothing reached  IHS to assist the effort.  Car seats are another matter; they must be new! IHS promised to  initiate fund-raising for this objective quickly in 2012 A dedicated "baby account" was established earlier this month. Two donors in the Charlottesville area, namely the Marjorie Adam Real Estate Team and Katie Forman of StellarOne Bank,  immediately secured the account for the purchase of two(2) high quality infant car seats. Keith Rosenfeld of Hot Cakes Restaurant in Charlottesville originated and printed 500 multi-color informational cards to stimulate  interest.  So - we are off and requesting your participation.  The promotion has started and we have secured and delivered the first two(2) infant seats as of January 13th.  One seat has already left the hospital with a secure baby on board the family car.  It's never too early to initiate a worthy objective.     What if ... What if ... each reader of this e-mail set out as their objective to ask their office, their business, their church class, their club, their school class, their fraternity, their sorority, even those in their family to pool their change for just $35.00 ... THAT WILL BUY ONE INFANT CAR SEAT.  Just $35.00 this year is all it takes!   First ... Let's secure their trip home! These quality infant car seats generally sell from $50-$60 each; however, Tammy Lee, Customer Service Manager at the Gordonsville's Walmart Super Center, volunteered the reduced price of $35.00,  immediately upon learning of the charity's objective and if bought by IHS.  Believe me, this is the best price available and we appreciate the discount.   Those supporters already contributing to the general IHS fund for lodging and emergency prescriptions are doing their part. Those numerous Scout Troops, Sunday school classes and school classes who are assembling meals throughout the year are securing the IHS food program. BUT ... for those who have not been involved in this valuable effort, please consider that it only takes $35.00 for one infant car seat in 2012.  Also, any used or new infant clothes can be boxed for local pickup or sent by mail or UPS to make this objective so easy to handle.  Don't you think so? Now it's time to secure this minimum need and prevent delay in discharge of these patients.   Our post office address for mail and postal boxes is:     IHS P.O. Box 163 Palmyra, VA 22963   For UPS or Federal Express boxes, send to     Rev. T. Wade Clegg c/o #37 Brougham Road Lake Monticello, VA 22963   For local Albemarle and Fluvanna County pickup, e-mail us at info@interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org.  We'll work out a time for meeting. OK?      Sincerely ... T. Wade

First Grant could not be more timely!

On December 14th the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) announced $337,300 in grants to 43 local nonprofits through the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in CACF. One of those 43 grateful recipients is Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum (IHS).     The Dave Matthews Band IHS received a letter on December 13th from John Redick, President of CACF, with a check for $10,000.00 to be used for assistance with programs providing food for patients and families at the University of Virginia (UVA) hospital.   In his press release Mr. Redick had these comments: "The Dave Matthews Band's continued generosity to the people of this community is remarkable. Through the Bama Works Fund in CACF, established in 1998, the Band touched and improved the lives of many in our local area. The Community Foundation is deeply grateful for their support and for the good work of the deserving organizations which will benefit from the gifts being announced today."   For those not familiar with the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, CACF is a permanent endowment dedicated to improving the quality of life in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Nelson. Since its inception in 1967, the CACF has provided over $43 million in grants.   For a complete list of the happily surprised 43 charities, please access the CACF website at  www.cacfonline.org.   What the Grant means for the IHS Food Program   This grant will support the IHS full-day Meal Packet Program for the Social Office workers within the main Hospital, and for the first time, allow for a consistent monthly food delivery for the UVA Hospitality House (HH). It is anticipated that the grant will assist with about 60% of our food purchases for both food projects for 2012.     The full-day Meal Packet Program, under the guidance of Margaret Gorman, is based on community assembly sessions by church classes, scout troops, schools and even neighborhood work parties. The cumulative collection monthly from various groups allows for this charity to maintain the 100-150 meal packets delivered every two weeks. The grant will allow us to secure production of meal packets, especially during summer breaks when most groups are on vacation.     UVA Hospitality House (HH) Food assistance is now secure for 2012   We learned of the potential loss of the Hospitality House's only consistent food grant of $400 monthly several months ago. Anticipating this loss, we appealed in our grant request for funds to instigate a consistent monthly food program. This grant arrived just in time to pick up a significant food load at HH. We will actually purchase food and deliver to HH every two weeks. First delivery was last week. With the grant we were also able to secure the Christmas meal for those guests at the House during this holiday period.   Thanks to the Dave Matthews Band for the music ... and their exceptional generosity!   On behalf of all of us who seek to make a difference for those long distance patients and caregivers with limited income who come to this community for treatment at the UVA Medical Center, this fantastic contribution could not have arrived at a more opportune time. We do not operate on the basis of seasonal needs ... the need for lodging, food, co-pay, prescription and travel assistance is never-ending; however, this particular food grant is that unexpected boost which has lifted our spirits even higher.   To All of those faithful donors to this charity and this new friend of the charity, we wish you and yours the very best of holidays with family and friends.   Blessings .... The Volunteers of Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum