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Angel Tree generates outpouring of support

So that the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for even the least fortunate, MUSC employees have responded with generosity and in record numbers to boost the spirits of Lowcountry families and individuals. 
 
For the past three years, MUSC has participated in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program that acts as a kind of Santa Claus system linking MUSC benefactors to the wish lists of the needy.
 
This year, MUSC Angel Tree organizers Liz Nista and Marian Taylor distributed more than 1,400 angels to departments and units of the Medical Center and university between Nov. 6 and Dec. 11. The angel tree tag cut-outs originate from 2006 Salvation Army holiday assistance requests from individuals, families and seniors around the Charleston community. Tags featured a name, age, sex, size and wish list request.
 
“This year the Salvation Army responded to many requests from employees for a wish list and clothing sizes for each angel,” said Liz Nista, MUSC Angel Tree coordinator. “Because of that, each angel had a much more personal Christmas. The gifts so far have been incredible.”
 
Throughout the six-week period, dozens of employees embraced the project in special ways. Some groups organized fund-raisers to raise money to support their shared efforts. Others rallied co-workers to participate in the project and inspired others in the communal spirit of giving.
    
On Dec. 15, participants may bring their tagged, unwrapped gift or toy to the annual MUSC Angel Tree Holiday Celebration in the Horseshoe. Beginning at 1 p.m., Nista, Taylor and the MUSC Angel Tree team will be joined by Santa and his elves. A local DJ will set the mood with holiday music, and WCSC-TV news anchor Debi Chard will be present to report on the MUSC community’s celebrations.
 
Any employee who is unable to submit their Angel Tree gift at the campus holiday celebra-tion may also drop it off at any of the Debi’s Kids Angel Tree toy boxes located in Wal-Mart stores across the tri-county.
 
“I’m inspired by the number of employees that look forward to doing this every year,” Nista said. “Department’s like Patty Tisdale’s group (Ambula-tory Care schedulers, etc.) raise money all year long. Those people do some Herculean shopping, squeezing every nickel, and show up every December with vans loaded with toys.”

CTICU fundraiser
For the second year, the fourth floor Cardio Thoracic ICU (CTICU) staff coordinated several fund-raisers to sponsor gifts for the MUSC Angel Tree, according to Dana Younger, CNL, and Paris Wiggin. The pair  organized chili and CTICU T-shirt/sweatshirt sales to raise money to benefit the group’s 12 angel tree recipients and staff holiday party. Participants contributed crocks of homemade chili, pans of hot cornbread and a variety of homemade desserts to sell to fellow employees Nov 11. CTICU staff Bob Anthony, Michael Sawin and Donna Shephard-Smith carted pots of chili and goodies between units. The group raised more than $300 from sales, plus additional collections while completing their toy shopping.
   
“We’re thrilled to be participating in this project again for the holidays,” said Younger.

Meducare employees’ rally
Louise Rogers with Meducare, located in Charleston Memorial Hospital, has managed her department’s support and response of this project since its campus beginnings in December 2003. Each year, the team of dispatchers, paramedics, EMT staff and shuttle bus drivers rally together to bring joy and spread good cheer to each of their MUSC Angel Tree tag recipients. Staff provided bikes, dolls, games, clothes and other toys for 26-plus MUSC Angel Tree children.
    
“Each year the participation continues to grow among staff,” said Rogers.
 
The holiday project has special meaning to Meducare dispatcher Leigh Ann Burton, a single mom raising two children, ages 3 and 10. Last year, she struggled to give Christmas gifts for her children. Thanks to the generosity of others, she was able to get through the difficult times. With things looking up in 2006, Burton committed herself to giving back to others just like her. This season, she chose two MUSC Angel Tree tags to share in the holiday spirit.
    
“It makes me feel good to be giving to someone else who’s in need because I know what it’s like,” Burton said. “In my job, it’s easy to see so much tragedy occur throughout the year that the spirit of giving and generosity at this time is something that comes very naturally among all of us.”

College of Nursing support
Caring for the community is a year-round mantra for College of Nursing (CON)faculty and staff.
 
“We like to think of ourselves as a profession that inherently cares for people in the community,” said Carol McDougall, R.N., director of CON’s Office of Continuing Education.
 
When the 2006 MUSC Angel Tree program began in mid-November, nursing faculty and staff responded generously and with enthusiasm.
    
Nursing assistant professor Sharon Bond, R.N., was among employees who picked up an angel. Bond selected an 11-year-old boy who asked for a basketball this Christmas. Bond gratefully complied, and gave even more. The mother of grown children, she remembers spending countless hours at games and practices supporting her children’s sports that led to a growing appreciation for the game. She supplied a basketball and portable hoop set for her Christmas angel.
 
“It was a no-brainer for me,” said Bond. “Both of my kids grew up shooting hoops on our driveway and eventually got involved in organized play. Basketball is a great sport, because it brings out great attributes from athletics and physical activity, team work and sportsmanship—all the characteristics we should share with one another.”
 
As CON assistant faculty member Teresa Kelechi, Ph.D., R.N., scanned the aisles of a local department store to select a present for her 1-year old MUSC Angel Tree child, she was treated to an inspiring surprise by a church group of teenagers on a similar gift-finding mission.
    
“They looked to me, as an adult, for guidance,” said Kelechi. “I was inspired by their energy and genuine joy in sharing their mission to bring Christmas to others in the community who are less fortunate.”

   

Friday, Dec. 15, 2006
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