A Special Note from the Patient Navigator

UVA Cancer Center ... Just sharing   "I am writing to express my appreciation for the generous efforts and contributions of Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum. IHS contributions have a significant impact for numerous patients receiving care at University of Virginia Health System. Patients' caregivers may also be impacted by the services of IHS. I have contacted Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum leadership on several occasions to request lodging assistance for patients. Patients travel significant distances to appointments and may be unable to travel home same day. If the UVA Hospitality House is unable to accommodate the patient, we need an alternative solution. Expenditures often increase and income decreases when there is a cancer diagnosis. Patients may not be able to afford the cost of a hotel stay. Having a community resource through IHS, a short term solution, can often be secured.                                                                                                 Sincerely,Faith Havran,Pt Navigator UVA - ECCCC"   Thank you to Faith for those words of encouragement and appreciation for us at IHS. This is why we were created. This is why we do what we do.   Don't forget that now through Nov 2, AmazonSmile is donating 5% (ten times the usual amount) to Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum Inc when you shop at:     smile.amazon.com/ch/26-3985605   #AmazonSmile #StartWithaSmile    And, as always, 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.         Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III & Sam McLawhorn for IHS   Founding Members IHS

A Few Notes of Importance for October 2018

Perhaps  ... just perhaps ... YOU can spread the word! Three Categories could use a boost! They are:   1. Full-Day Meal Packets for the Food Cabinet located in the Office of Social Work in the UVA Medical Center.  Please access the Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum website for a detailed copy of what is needed in the meal packets. Presently, two churches provide scheduled projects to keep our stock ready.  If you would like to speak with the two church leaders for tips on how they stimulate enthusiasm, please e-mail us for their names and phone numbers. Perhaps your church or club or Scout contacts can find time for participation quarterly or monthly to share the load. Full day meal packets are accessed by UVA Social Workers to assist underfunded outpatients and their caregivers who simply can't afford a meal in the hospital cafe. 2.    Infant Car Seats for indigent and grossly underfunded patients who are caught off guard with the time of departure with an infant for that trip home. IHS seeks to keep in  stock at our storage office the three main sizes of these safety seats which are needed by the Pediatric staff.  Our next order of car seats will entail purchase of about two dozen new seats. IHS must provide "new" seats when issued through the UVA Medical Center. 3.      Lodging Assistance Fees for Underfunded outpatients and necessary caregivers.Lodging  is  especially needed  for patients who must travel long distances for treatment or appointments. The ability to balance funds for travel, food and lodging is critical for the indigent and underfunded. In fact many such patients often will negate coming to Charlottesville when these needs can not be met. IHS generally is that last option for a Social Worker to contact when someone arrives and finds that they simply can't afford the cost of even one night at UVA Hospitality House or a commercial hotel when the House is fully occupied.  IHS also stocks the Hospitality House kitchen monthly with an email of needed supplies from the House Supervisor.   Whatever you can do to raise interest in support of this 24/7 nonprofit effort for the least able among us is so appreciated. And, as always, 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.         Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III & Sam McLawhorn for IHS   Founding Members IHS

SPECIAL NOTICE for UVA Medical and University staff, and all other Virginia Commonwealth State Employees. The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) begins October 1, 2018.  Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum, Inc. (IHS) is a CVC charity.  To support our work for lodging, food programs, prescriptions & co-pays, pediatric support with infant car seats and clothing, etc. , designate your gift to CVC code 003648..

Early Notice - the Final Quarter of 2018 is dedicated to Giving

Beginning each October - November,  the UVA Medical Center Health System Employees will be reminded of an important state program to facilitate giving over the following year. The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) offers that annual opportunity for state employees to participate in the payroll deduction program which supports a variety of  eligible non-profits who serve Virginians.   Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum (IHS) has been serving indigent and underfunded UVA patients and their caregivers since 2009 and has been listed with CVC for the last eight years.  IHS is that silent charity on call 24/7 which is dedicated and accessed by the Hospital's entire Social Work staff when no other agency, clinic, charity or resource is available to provide immediate temporary assistance.  Because of IHS's immediate access, Social Workers are able to provide the least able with immediate lodging, food packets,  co-pays, and other must-have requirements to balance their ability to sustain themselves immediately upon arrival in Charlottesville. IHS serves hundreds annually with lodging assistance and thousands with food packets. There is never a charge for assistance when IHS is called by a Social Worker for assistance. Those who are provided lodging do not know who is assisting them with payment for a room in UVA Hospitality House or as needed a commercial hotel room.  The guests only know that their Social Worker contact at the Medical Center has reached out to a resource and secure their needs.  The same is true when an underfunded out-patient and family member does not have adequate funds for food, and the Social Work staff will take "a full day meal packet" from the Social Work Office in the Main Hospital. IHS has provided from 150-250 meal packets monthly as needed, and keeps the UVA Hospitality House (HH) kitchen fully stocked based on monthly contact from the HH Manager. UVA  employee giving through the CVC annually keeps this vital partnership active. The CVC Code for Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum (IHS) is 003648.  Remember - this non-paid all volunteer charity responds 24/7 to the Social Work staff at the Medical Center.   IHS is the final safety net for the least able who must come to this state hospital and the Social Work staff has no one else to call. And, as always, 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.         Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III & Sam McLawhorn for IHS

SPECIAL NOTICE for UVA Medical and University staff, and all other Virginia Commonwealth State Employees. The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) begins October 1, 2018.  Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum, Inc. (IHS) is a CVC charity.  To support our work for lodging, food programs, prescriptions & co-pays, pediatric support with infant car seats and clothing, etc. , designate your gift to CVC code 003648..

In Case Your Didn't Know It ...

The IHS storage and meal-making office at Building 105, Crofton Place, Lake Monticello (about 12 miles from the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville), is almost totally  restored.  The office experienced an unusual shock when the ceiling collapsed one night about a month ago. Lot of high winds evidently shook the rafters and down came the sheet-rock. No water damage, even with all the rain; however, dust covered everything. Quiet a surprise to open the office door and find that the ceiling and floor were competing for space. No other office in the single story building was effected. That was then ... this is now The office was totally painted last week. The remaining work is to find a commercial vacuum cleaner and remove the remaining dust which has settled in the carpet. All meal packets were removed to another building the day after the incident. Fortunately, the packets in the office were tightly sealed, and still in large trash bags awaiting review by staff. Therefore, the dust did not penetrate the contents. Since bags are generally stacked along and against the office walls, nothing was crushed when the sheet rock fell down in the center of the room. First week of July will  be spent setting up office in an orderly fashion Present stock of meal packets will be boxed and made ready for next delivery to the UVA Office of Social Work cabinet. The Fluvanna County Grace & Glory Lutheran Church, which makes about 60 meal packets each second Sunday of the month will add to present stock, and those of you who happen to live in the Virginia counties of Fluvanna, Albemarle, Louisa and Nelson can call and offer to add to the summer supplies. Just pick up the phone and call us at (434) 589-4864. And make contact by email at  ihsanctum@gmail.com and copy my personal email at elishevanumber7@earthlink.net. I really do want to receive your desire to participate.   Let's talk!    And, as always, 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.          Much love from all of us... and Happy Summer.   May your roof remain intact! Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III & Sam McLawhorn for IHS

A Little History ... A Lot of Appreciation

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is not familiar to all recipients of the IHS e-mails.  CVC is a state government opportunity for state employees to annually pledge a charitable donation through the payroll deduction program for nonprofits. After 8 years of participation in this UVA program for nonprofit giving, IHS's annual receipt of funds has ranged from $2,000 - $4,000.  Quite frankly, the only real opportunity for exposure is limited, and depends upon UVA hospital staff projecting the value of this charity for underfunded patients and families who must come to UVA Charlottesville for appointments and treatment.   In the May 10, 2018 CVC letter of notification, the campaign stated that it had collected for  Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum, Inc.  for 2017-2018 pledges a total of $ 2,136.00. At present this amount will be disbursed in 12 payments of $174.44. Only eleven (11) state employee donors who made a gift in the 2017-2018 campaign wanted to be acknowledged. Their contact information was provided and each will receive a personal letter of acknowledgement. The only other route to express our appreciation to those who will not receive a personal note is in this monthly e-mail. To every donor, either through the CVC or donating outside of the payroll deduction program, your support is so vital to so many who arrive for so many vital and immediate needs. Without our presence to respond to Social Workers 24/7, so many would simply not make that trip from considerable distances, and decide to forego critical evaluation and treatment.  If you are an employee at UVA Medical Center please introduce this "silent charity" to other members who may not be familiar with us. Our website has a 6 minute video on page 1.  All will find the website so helpful.  Thank you so much. And, as always, 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.          Your thoughtful consideration of our efforts is so appreciated.    Much Love ... "Us"   T. Wade Clegg III & Sam McLawhorn

SPECIAL NOTICE for UVA Medical and University staff, and all other Virginia Commonwealth State Employees. The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) begins October 1, 2018.  Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum, Inc. (IHS) is a CVC charity.  To support our work for lodging, food programs, prescriptions & co-pays, pediatric support with infant car seats and clothing, etc. , designate your gift to CVC code 003648..

A Special Thanks to J & E Berkley Foundation

A letter and attachment arrived this past week which gave the arrival of Spring an extra special meaning. The opening paragraph reads,   "The J & E Berkley Foundation considered your grant request at a meeting held on May 1, 2018. It is my pleasure to inform you that a grant of $3,500 was awarded to Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum (IHS) to be used as outlined in your proposal dated March 31, 2018. Enclosed is an official check in the amount of $3,500." This delightful letter and check was signed by Chris Pasmore, Executive Director. And, as always, 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.         Your thoughtful consideration of our efforts is so appreciated.    Much Love ... "Us"

The Spirit of Giving .... and More Participants

March - April has been a productive period, especially for meal-making Please take a few minutes and review the generosity  of the following new volunteers and those who have  revitalized their efforts for consistent participation.  Thank you Anya Rothman, age 12, from Crozet who selected IHS for a services project. With the full support of her family, Anya put together 24 full-day meal packets.  Such a productive output is generally only undertaken by a group; however, Anya devoted herself in an extraordinary effort for her Bat Mitzvah celebration. Thank you Udeyvir Cheema and Andria Li, who spearheaded the making of 42 meal packets at the UVA American Medical  Student Association (AMSA). AMSA is a national organization that includes premedical and medical students, interns, residents and physicians. At the UVA chapter they connect premed students with each other through various professional service and social opportunities. Andria learned of the IHS  program while attending Western Albemarle High School and serving as President of her high school Key Club. Thank you Ann Salamini and the Elders Covenant Group at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church UU located on Rugby Road in Charlottesville for adding 18 meal packets in April to the outstanding March project by Youth Sunday School members who completed 219  meal packets.  As most friends of the charity know, the TJMC UU is the anchor church for  the meal  packet program annually, under the  guidance of IHS's most prolific volunteer, Margaret Gorman. Thank you Maria Brown, Director of The Children's Garden kindergarten in Albemarle County. The children support the meal packet collection annually with no less than a dozen packets. Thank  you Debra Kurre, project leader for the Fluvanna Rotary Club's first meal packet project which began just weeks ago. In closing - it is well  worth repeating that Effort Baptist Church at Lake Monticello  in Fluvanna County has included IHS in their Quarterly Tithing Program.  This donation has proven to be so helpful in sustaining the IHS Lodging expenses for immediate funding for so many outpatient arrivals  for treatment at UVA, especially when Ronald McDonald House is fully occupied, or underfunded outpatients arrive for chemotherapy for lengthy stays. And finally, thanks for Jan  and Paul Crowther and Justin Wade and the congregation of meal makers at Grace and Glory Lutheran Church in Palmyra, Virginia who make 60 packets every second Sunday of each month. THANKS TO ALL!    And, as always, 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.       Your thoughtful consideration of our efforts is so appreciated.    Much Love ... "Us"