A Quick Review of IHS actions for January 2013 Donor participation tends to slow in the initial months of each year, but the needs we provide do not slow.. Apparently, as the distance from the very rushed holiday period widens, the greater the opportunity for everyone to consider that indigent and underfunded families continue to arrive in Charlottesville for treatment at UVA Medical Center, often without adequate funds for food, lodging, prescription and co-pay, etc. The month with Valentine's Day offers a terrific chance for extended giving! January 2013 statistics:
IHS Lodging support: 13 overnight rooms which served 15 people
(Total billing not received but estimate for January hotel rooms: $ 650.00)
IHS Food purchases for making meals for Social Work office and for stocking shelves and office refrigerators at UVA Hospitality House: $ 839.86
Full-day meal packets delivered by IHS to stock Social Work Office cabinet: 192 meals
(value $ 1,152.00)
New Infant car seats obtained and kept for Pediatric Clinic: 5 premie seats, 2 regular seats
(value: $ 368.63)
IHS funds provided to Social Work fund for indigent prescriptions & co-pays: $ 1,000.00
There is now an urgency for donors to make full-day meal packets during February-MarchFrom January 2012, we were so fortunate to have about 392 full-day meals which was the carryover from December 2011. Those packets assisted with hospital deliveries for the first two months of 2012. However, we had only half as many packets as we entered 2013, and our stock is now depleted. When this happens, we must dip into the food account much deeper for purchase of food items and then personally assemble in the IHS storage office. Therefore, it is urgent that we reach out to previous donors, such as Sunday School classes, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Day Care schools, high school clubs, and families to consider us for collection and assembly sessions during the next 60 days. We really need your help for keeping the stock available for our every 2-week delivery to social workers. Remember ... our average full-day meal packet need is 250 packets per month! Access our information on the IHS Food Program and the Guide for how to make meals and suggestions for items to include. The emphasis is on two entrees (microwavable cups or soup cans with flip-tops for ease of opening), one fruit and one applesauce cup, pack of crackers, granola bar, oat meal packet, a packet with spoon, fork & napkin, and all items placed in a Zip Lock gallon bag. The final important item is a personal "We wish you wellness" type note from the person making the packet.
Rachel Thielmann, a Charlottesville mother of three very productive and enthusiastic girls, twins age 6 and the younger age 5, called to announce that they had made thirty-five (35) meals over a period of weeks, and were ready to deliver. So, Elisheva and T. Wade Clegg met this generous group for a visit in Charlottesville for pickup of their meals. We also learned that the girls are eager to get to work on more full-day meals in the months ahead. Thanks ladies for your generosity! Final Thoughts Please consider inviting us to your school, club, church, business or even a family or neighborhood meeting in Central Virginia, and allowing us 5-10 minutes to speak to the group and show examples of full-day meals. You set the goals for what is possible based on the size of your group. Whatever can be made over a period of a month or more will become a part of lifting our load for those who so very much need and appreciate having a nutritious packet to get them through their day. If you need more advice or tips, simply e-mail us at info@interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org and ask. Thanks so much for your assistance.
Sincerely ... Thomas Wade Clegg III
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Monday, February 11, 2013
Just Keeping You Posted!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
IHS Receives Second Grant to Support Food Programs
New Year's 2013 Gift has arrived! We received a second straight dedicated food grant from the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF). IHS had appealed for continued support, which would allow us to continue to provide and stock food for underfunded guests at the UVA Hospitality House, and for making full-day meal packets for the Office of Social Work in UVA Medical Center for caregivers without funds who are monitoring loved ones, especially parents in Pediatric Clinics who can be stranded for weeks, even months, awaiting progress for their children. This Grant can potentially represent from 33-39% of needed funding for food This New Year's gift received by IHS in late December was a grant for $8,000! Forty-eight organizations are receiving $336,800 in grant awards to help secure vital needs within their programs. Twice per year, the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in CACF awards gifts through a competitive grant cycle.  To place the IHS Food Program funding in real terms, consider this ...
The IHS Food Program is now the most expensive category for the charity The other unmet needs, which we have sought to meet and strengthen the safety net, are lodging, co-pays & prescriptions, travel, and support with infant car seats and infant clothing, etc. for indigent families being served in UVA Pediatric Clinics. This latest gift from Bama Works of Dave Matthews Band in CACF is solely dedicated for insuring that nutritional needs are not neglected for the underfunded visitors to UVA Medical Center. IHS is considered the "go to" charity when a UVA social worker calls. Since all requests are screened and approved by social workers, there is no delay in response. The same can be said about the generosity of Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) and The Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band committee who screened and approved our efforts to feed hungry people a long way from home. They have again reacted with a most timely gift, which is so important to so many. Sincerely ... Thomas Wade Clegg III |
Monday, December 31, 2012
Yes Virginia ... It Was a Productive Year ... Thanks to Your Support
| We don't have the luxury of contributors who would like to match your donations, but we promise to continue to use every penny to serve those distance patients and families through UVA social staff to meet some very basic immediate needs. Those needs include shelter and food while coming from hundreds of miles for a chance to see a doctor. And we promise to continue as a no paid group of volunteers to maintain a 24/7 presence for social workers, while using our own personal funds in this worthy task. That is how we plan to match your consideration with whatever is possible to assist in the year ahead. Allow for just a Moment for us to share the Difference this Charity has made in 2012 IHS provided 109 commercial hotel rooms which temporarily served 191 guests who could not be accommodated in the UVA Hospitality House (HH), and paid for extended stays for 14 guests who could not afford the smallest fee at HH.  IHS provided full-day meals through Social Workers who identify caregivers who are underfunded for their temporary stay near a loved one. More specifics below.IHS provided emergency co-pay and prescriptions as requested by social workers for indigent patients. IHS will have provided 45 infant car seats by this weekend for parents leaving the hospital with their child, but who find themselves without funds to secure a new safety seat. IHS asked Santa to make a Special Stop in Ivy on December 8th  The annual Christmas gathering hosted by the Marjorie Adam Realty Team in Ivy, Virginia was once again a wonderful afternoon for Marjorie's clients and their children. IHS asked Santa to come to Charlottesville and spend about four hours talking to children, while photos were taken for placement into family memory books. The activity allowed attendees to donate to IHS. Many of the children return every year and apparently are being well fed, for they are growing wonderfully. They have noticeably changed over these 5 years, but Santa doesn't seem to age. A special thanks again to Marjorie Adam and her family for her support in this excellent fund-raising event each holiday season. IHS provided the Christmas Dinner Turkeys for the UVA Hospitality House Mary Jackson, Supervisor, reported that twenty-one (21) guests enjoyed a special meal on December 25th in the Hospitality House. Staff prepared side dishes, and IHS provided organically raised pre-cooked turkey to feed about 24 people. Whole Foods Market donated the ham for this annual dinner. One never knows exactly how many guests will be required to stay over a holiday, while still in out-patient treatment at UVA Medical Center; however, Mary said the food provided was more than enough for this year's visitors.  In case you didn't know ...IHS is the only consistent provider of food items every week to ten days to stock the kitchen at Hospitality House (HH). The process of providing items is handled very directly by e-mail. Mary Jackson sends a list usually on a Friday, with those items which are running very low. For example, yesterday (Sunday) December 30, the list read as follows: Bacon (several pounds), Milk 2 gallons, Orange juice 2 gallons, Bread (several loaves and any bakery breads you can obtain fresh or frozen), eggs 2-3 dozen, Hot pockets (large box), 20 frozen dinners, cheese (large packet), fruits (any variety in bags), fruit cups (or small cans for individual use), and Laundry detergent (any kind any size) if possible. This list can vary and may include paper plates, cups, bowls and plastic utensils and napkins, margarine, other juices, applesauce cups, can vegetables, cereals, coffee and filters, sugar packets, creamers, drinking water by the case, etc. These are examples of must have items. The consistency of support provided by IHS friends and the December 2011 grant for 2012 from Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) has made it possible to meet every HH request within 24 hours. THANKS TO ALL! The 2012 Meal Packet Program Projection was on Target  Before this week ends, IHS will have provided 2,488 full-day meals to Social Work in year 2012. The projection was placed in the range of 2,500-3,000. The numbers continued to slide upward, but even without an increase in numbers, food item costs to make a full-day meal of quality have increased. If you calculate 2,488 meals at about six dollars each, that's $14,928.00. To take this a step further, 1,476 full-day meals were made by volunteer groups who purchased and assembled meals as a part of their community outreach programs. If you scroll through our blog postings at http://www.interfaithsanctum.blogspot.com, you will see the names of all those who made it possible to meet our requirement monthly. That meant that 1,012 meals were assembled by IHS from food items purchased to meet the 2012 requirement. Our Wish this coming year? Quite frankly, it's to have more groups exposed to this charity and its never-ending effort to strengthen the safety net. Allow us to bring more happiness to situations which need a strong injection of our community generosity. It's not so much to ask, is it? Wishing You a Happy New Year & Blessings ... T. Wade and Elisheva Clegg |
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thanks to December Meal Makers & the Response from a UVA Social Worker
 December 5th - This was pickup day for 110 full-day meal packets made during November at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist (TJMC UU). Leia Durland-Jones reported that the 1st-5th grade religious education classes were exploring, along with the congregation, the theme of FAMILY. Leia said, "We know that we are all part of the human family and that it is important to help one another." She added, "Both the children and their religious education teachers enjoyed making the packets and the notes and cards that go inside each packet."
December 12th - For the second year, the Cheng family of Charlottesville made it a holiday project to collect and make 25 full-day meal packets over several months, and then deliver them to the IHS Office at 105 Crofton Plaza at Lake Monticello in the Palmyra area along with a generous check for extra needs. Thanks to Elaine and David Cheng and their children, Alex (age 7) and Kate (age 4) for their continuing support.
December 18th - This is also the second year that Boy Scout Troop 36 has gathered for an overnight lock-in party, and produced full-day meal packets. Don Kimpel helped the scouts organize the event, which took place last weekend. IHS is picking up those 50 full-day meal packets as this notice is being released to friends of the charity.
To Lend some Perspective to what these donations mean to the Food Program
From the last week in November - December 18th, IHS will have delivered a total of 312 full-day meal packets to the Office of Social Work. December is proving to be the most active month for consumption. All social workers have access to the Social Work cabinet when a meal is needed by those in the hospital as caregivers or a family member, and are without adequate funds to eat. As you can readily see, the above groups provided 185 meals, which has allowed more funds to remain in the IHS Food Account for making up the balance for purchases needed monthly. It is apparent that the monthly need will continue to average from 250-300 meals monthly.
An Important Note from a Social Worker which was received this past week
 The following e-mail from Social Worker Elaine Finley in Pediatrics was received by Teresa Bevins, clinical social worker and monitor of the IHS Meal Program in the Office of Social Work.
She asked that Teresa copy her e-mail to IHS, and we are sharing it with Elaine's permission, so that friends of the charity will understand just one arena in the hospital where meals make a difference:
" Hi Teresa,
So - Now you know - what a difference each family, group, church or business can make.
 Please review the IHS Food Program, via this link. It's really very easy to shop over the months, and allow each visit to the grocery store to be one more chance to collect a few food items. THEN - when you have whatever your objective is for delivery or pickup in the Charlottesville area, give us a call or send an e-mail to info@interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org.
In closing, Elaine Finley heard about the annual project by the Cheng family, which is mentioned above, and said,
"I love the project Elaine Cheng's family does to complete 25 full-day ziplock bags. I will talk to my own family and friends about doing something like this a few times a year. Such a simple thing to do, but I never thought of it. Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas."
Elaine
Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III |
Monday, December 10, 2012
First Full Year of Support
| This December represents the end of an active full year with two programs to meet two unmet needs for patients and families who are here for treatment at the UVA Medical Center. IHS had paid for lodging at UVA Hospitality House as requested since 2009, but had not been involved in a consistent program for food support. IHS also began our Baby Program in support of Pediatric Clinic requests for infant child car safety seats and infant clothing. Both programs have been extremely beneficial for recipients. The UVA Hospitality House Food Program began one year ago on December 16, 2011  It's important to understand that the UVA Hospitality House with its thirty rooms, often filled with guests who are underfunded for their visits to UVA Medical Center, only had one small food grant which was totally inadequate and about to cease in the late months of 2011. IHS immediately turned its attention to seeking support for a grant , in conjunction with individual contributors, for our entire food program, but with emphasis on securing a stable flow of food items and supplemental items necessary in their kitchen, as requested by Hospitality House. Grant Received on December 14, 2011 to Support IHS Food Program The Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation made it possible to secure deliveries made on request by the Hospitality House Supervisor throughout the entire year. This dedicated food grant assisted with funds for both IHS Food Programs over the year, namely for Hospitality House food support and the Full-day Meal Packet Program for Social Staff distribution for caregivers and families in the UVA Medical Center. The other funds come from generous individual donors. However, food support for Hospitality House could not have been consistent without the Bama Works Fund grant a year ago this next week. What was accomplished for Hospitality House Food Support over this Past Year? As of December 1, 2012, IHS has responded with thirty-four (34) shopping trips and deliveries in the last twelve (12) months. Supervisor Mary Jackson e-mails a specific list of food items in order to stock up the two refrigerators and cabinets in the downstairs kitchen. Sometimes, supplies may include detergent, paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils, and other necessities needed for an active kitchen. There are no designated days in IHS responses. If the cupboard is almost empty, that is the day we purchase and deliver.  Barbara and Jan, UVA Hospitality House (HH)staff, accepted delivery number 35 yesterday, December 9. Gypsy Gourmet Cake Lounge at Lake Monticello provided IHS with much needed items for HH: 500 plastic spoons, 575 styrofoam cups with lids, 500 cup cake holders, and a large 8 lb. can of milk fudge for baking. Throughout the year, the small bakery has provided frozen breads for HH.Holiday Meals for those who can't return home to be with Family In addition, IHS paid for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in December 2011, and for Easter, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving meals for 2012. Christmas dinner in two weeks will also be arranged and paid for pickup by Hospitality House (HH) staff on December 24th. It is so important to remember that most patients who stay at HH are substantially underfunded, and come to Charlottesville from great distances, and are away from family and friends. Many are here for chemotherapy and must remain over holidays. Without the care and comfort and attention by HH staff, and supported by IHS, these visitors would not have these very important holiday meals. Just a Few Words about the Baby Program  In January 2012 the projection provided by Teresa Bevins by all Pediatric Clinics was a need for approximately thirty (30) infant child car safety seats. No child can leave the hospital which is not properly buckled up. It's the law, and if the hospital is providing a seat, then it must be new. As of December 11, 2012 we will have obtained forty-one (41) infant car seats. There are two models: one larger seat for above 5 lbs. and one for tiny tots from 4 lbs. In addition, those same babies of parents who are generally pay grade one (indigent) do not have any significant clothing for the initial months of returning home; therefore, IHS has solicited donor support for both new and gently used clothing over this same period. A Note of Thanks from Hospitality House Thanks to all of you who have made these programs happen. So many have been helped. Thank you for your consideration for continued support. Please read the letter just received from Supervisor Mary Jackson, and signed by Hospitality House guests and staff. "On behalf of the Hospitality House staff and our guests, please accept our sincere appreciation for the turkeys and ham donated by Thanksgiving Dinner. We were able to feed 20+ patients and family members. Enclosed you will find a Thank You note signed by guests attending a feast on Thanksgiving. We also enjoyed a variety of side dishes just like Grandma fixed back in the day. All staff played a part in the dinner, whether shopping, covering phones or cleaning up. Your donation helped us provide a home cooked dinner for those not able to be home for the holiday. Thank you for caring and sharing. Your kindness has touched our hearts.What Can You Do To Assist?  Giving is important for sustaining these programs year round, but holiday giving can certainly make the beginning months of each year go much smoother. As you might guess, the best way to support this charity for these specific programs is with funds. We shop for specific items as needed and look for best pricing, generally through larger purchases and using our tax exempt status. Therefore, we can make the dollars work more productively with a check for whatever one can afford to donate. Donations may be addressed to IHS, PO Box 163, Palmyra, VA 22963, or you may direct your donations through our website and PayPal at: http://www.interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org/donate.php . Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III |
Sunday, November 18, 2012
November 14th - A Truly Productive Day!
The e-mail was brief but most satisfying This past Thursday morning before 8 AM, we received a simple, but excellent notice from Whole Foods Market in Charlottesville, Virginia, which selected IHS for their 5% Day on November 14th. The note from store coordinator, Kristen Rabourdin, only indicated a figure: The subject read: Donation. The text read: $6,893.36!Under separate e-mail the following note was provided I am humbled to be even a small part of the amazing work that you do. I am so glad we were able to partner for this fundraiser. The entire group brought a vitality and enthusiasm to our aisles, and I swear, I could see your smiles from the other side of the store. So as you thank me, I thank you.Volunteers were generous with their time A total of 57 people representing such a variety of organizations balanced their schedules in order to devote from 1.5 - 8 hours of bagging groceries throughout a long work day, which lasted from 8 AM - 10 PM. Some last minute replacements from student groups came and balanced out the afternoon and evening time periods, and as a result, many last names were not provided in order to properly say thanks. However, please note participates below. Albemarle High School Key Club, lead by Danielle Horridge, Key Club Regional Officer, had 16 students participating during the 4-8:30 PM hours. Thanks to Maggie Comberg, Savannah Kennedy, Michelle Moore, Hanna Shaps, Isabel Lee, Jennifer Leider, Morgan Cahill, Sarah Henderson, Taylor Colley, Cesar Vidal, Curtis Davis, Abby Egnar, Maura Davis, Elyse Duani, Aamna Kahn and Linda Cohen.  University Scouts, lead by Scout Leader Michael Gorman, had 9 scouts during the 12 - 4 PM hours. Thanks to Mary Ann, Ariana, Aaron, Jennifer, Katherine, Cristina, Hunter, Mark and Patrick. Kyle Brendel, Service Chair of University Souts at UVA, was able to advise and organize last minute participation, which proved vital for a busy afternoon at the store.The Junior League of Charlottesville PIAD Committee participants were Tucker Petty and Kirsten Lorenger. Also thanks to Beth McNew of The Junior League for putting out the word to assist. UVA Medical Center staff included Teresa Bevins, Vikki Bravo, Sheila Ahmadi, Brenda Hardley, Elizabeth Stann, and Marc Hengartner. Barbara Matysek represented UVA Hospitality House. Individual friends of the charity who participated were: Dawn Cleveland, Kristen-Paige Madonia, Phil Gorman, Paula Damgaard, Cecilia Leiva, Joscelyn Leiva, Lolita Holding, Louise Westervelt, Norman Levine, Marjorie Adam and Phillipe Adam. Special thanks to the two Adam teens, who spent two hours at a dining table and made personal cards for placement in the full-day meal packs which are delivered to UVA Medical Center every few weeks. Paula Damgaard deserves a special thanks for staying from 12 - 10 PM, a very long time of endurance. All IHS Board members were present during the day for a variety of tasks. They included Elisheva Clegg, Margaret Gorman, Sam McLawhorn, Danielle Devereux, and T. Wade Clegg. And there was Music  A special treat for customers and store staff was the entertainment, not generally expected for such a venue. But - this was a special day and deserved some professionals to set the tone.Thanks to the following who provided such pleasure for all of us: Sam McLawhorn, keyboardist, and frequently heard at Fellini's in downtown Charlottesville. Bob Gross & Hank Schutz, violinists, Piedmont Chamber Players. Erica Cha, guitarist. In Closing This was a special opportunity for fund-raising, especially at this time of the year, as we seek to fortify our funds for holiday and the first months of the year for lodging and food needs for the indigent population who come to our area and find the UVA Hospitality House and Ronald McDonald House unexpectedly fully occupied. Thanks for all of those who shopped at Whole Foods during this important day. The store is very generous in assisting this charity, not only for this singular event, but also for its support for special holiday meals. They assisted us with food assistance for 2012 UVA Hospitality House 4th of July dinner. A special "THANK YOU" is in order by writing to:
Kristen Rabourdin
Marketing Team Leader Whole Foods Market 1797 Hydraulic Road Charlottesville, VA 22901
Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thanksgiving Shopping Day is November 24th at Whole Foods Market
| 5% Day is a Marvelous Opportunity for IHS When a charity is selected as a participant for 5% Day, it is truly a time for celebration. Whole Food's generous opportunity means that our charity will receive 5% net from the participating store's take for that day. In this case it's Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 8 AM - 10 PM. How can You Help?  The answer is simple: SHOP FOR THANKSGIVING ON NOVEMBER 14TH! The store, which opened at its new location this year, is located at 1797 Hydraulic Road in Charlottesville. In case you are not familiar, Whole Foods has one of the most inviting buffets. Customers shop, then settle down to eat and enjoy their shopping experience with a variety of organically nourishing meals. Once you've sampled the diversity of the daily meals, Whole Foods will enter your list of favorite restaurant stops for brunch, lunch, late lunch and supper. And there will be Music Volunteering on keyboard from 11 AM - 3 PM is Sam McLawhorn. From 3:45 - 5:45 PM Bob Gross and Hank Schutz, violinists with the Piedmont Chamber Players will perform. From 6-7 PM Erica Cha will play guitar. With a bit of luck and time to join in, we are hopeful to have more volunteers before and after these talented musicians. We've been gearing up to assist for the whole day  As this message is being released, we have thirty-five (35) volunteers lined up for 2-6 hour shifts of bagging groceries, assisting customers to their cars, and serving as greeters at the door and the IHS table display. The new aprons have been imprinted with the IHS emblem, which all volunteers will be wearing while serving customers. Customers will also be given a leaflet as they enter to indicate which items can be used by the IHS full-day meal packet program. A collection cart will be evident for customers who wish to leave food items as they leave.We still have a need for more volunteers Shifts from 8-12 AM, 12-4 PM, 3-6 PM and 6-10 PM could use another 4-6 volunteers. This would allow for someone to serve as a greeter at the door, assist at the IHS display table, and take breaks from bagging during the 2-3 hour periods. Just e-mail us at and suggest which time is most convenient for you:
Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg |
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