Ambulatory Care staffs supportive in gift-giving
by Cindy AbolePublic Relations
Each Christmas season, MUSC Ambulatory Care staffs continue to find creative and supportive ways towards achieving a unified goal: brightening the lives of children and families less fortunate in the community. This year, they are committed to assisting their own by participating in the MUSC Families Helping Families effort.
Last month, more than 275 angels were claimed and distributed to Ambulatory Care departments in Rutledge Tower, Storm Eye Institute and Hollings Cancer Center.
Helping people in need is a familiar attitude among this group, according to Families First Ambulatory Care coordinator Nancy Vescovi, an administrative assistant.
“Each year, the Ambulatory Care staffs commit to supporting a local charity or group,” said Vescovi, recalling the group’s previous support for projects like New Beginnings, New Hope, My Sister's House, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center and other charities. “People share the same intentions to recognize and help all people in need.”
When Vescovi and others learned MUSC was teaming up with the Salvation Army to promote a program that could potentially help co-workers and their families seeking holiday assistance, they made the commitment. They attended an organizational meeting about the MUSC Families First project and claimed their angel tags. Each tag contains the name, age and gender of a Families First client.
Ambulatory Care assistant Marilyn Wade and the Hollings Cancer Center staff are well aware of the various needs in the community. The staff see it in some of the people they treat and care for, she said.
To motivate co-workers, Wade creatively hung angel tags on Christmas garland making it easy for individuals to select a tag and participate. She placed the decorated garland in the staff lounge because of the high traffic and visibility. Tags were selected by nursing, clinical and administrative staffs.
“What worked for us in this project was communication and organization,” Wade said. “Some people are so busy, they prefer to have a plan in place. For some participants, that might mean skipping lunch once in awhile and collecting those funds to purchase a gift or make a donation. Everyone was eager to help.”
In another example of planned effort, the staff in Ambulatory Care Scheduling completed a year-long activity to ensure that disadvantaged children enjoy a special Christmas. For the past three years, the group have collected monies through a fun and creative project. To supplement their gift-giving power, the group instituted a blue jean Fridays program for staff. Those wishing to participate made a $5 donation in exchange for permission to wear jeans one day of the week. With their cash in hand, the scheduling staff was able to purchase more than $500 worth of toys and gifts for children of different ages on behalf of their efforts.
“We absolutely love this project,” said Patty Tisdale. “Most often during holiday giving, people want to match their giving from the heart and pocketbook. Most often, it's not practical. Having a planned effort like this is less stressful on personal budgets and makes everyone involved happy.”
This is the first year MUSC has participated in the Families First activity. The program offers support to Charleston area individuals and families experiencing hardships during the holidays. Working through the Salvation Army, Families First clients are guaranteed to receive some level of support for the holidays.
“Overall response to the project has been phenomenal,” said Liz Nista, MUSC Families First coordinator. “We’ve exceeded all of our expectations. I’m proud of all MUSC employees and participants for supporting this effort. The response is a testament to everyone and their generosity in spirit during this holiday.”
According to Nista, more than 1,800 angels tags were distributed around campus in the month-long program resulting in offices full of collected toys, books and other needed items donated by joyful MUSC employees, staff, students and other participants.
Gift participants are asked to return their unwrapped, tagged present to today’s MUSC Families First gift collection, scheduled between 1 and 2 p.m., at the MUSC horseshoe. Refreshments will also be served. Departments can coordinate gift pick-ups by calling Nista, 792-8382.
The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to assist them in packing/preparation and distribution of gifts to Families First area clients, Dec. 22-23, at their offices, 2135 Ashley River Road. For more information, call 747-5271.
Second
floors' Pathology/Lab Services blood bank staffs display its collection
of MUSC Families First Angel Tree gifts collected from 75 angel tags.
Friday, Dec. 17, 2004
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