Memorial in the Community
Volunteers collect toys for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Santa visit.
Strong and Steady
Back to School Supply Drive
Yoga in the Park
As the pandemic pushed healthcare systems to their limit, Memorial employees pushed back, both on the job and off. Their “call to arms” during one of the most trying times in modern history resulted in an employee volunteer program that is stronger than ever.
“Our volunteers are asking us what they can do for the community,” said Tim Curtin, Executive Director of Community Services at Memorial Healthcare System.
COVID-19 hasn’t stopped Memorial’s H.E.R.O.s (Healthcare Employees Reaching Out) volunteers from giving back. If anything, the crisis spurred them to action.
For the annual Back to School Supply Drive, they collected 774 backpacks stuffed with school supplies and personal hygiene products. The bags are distributed to students whose families cannot afford these items.
“Typically, we’d get around 500 backpacks donated. Last year, it went up to about 600,” said Curtin.
“Our employees really dug deep, especially this past year during COVID. We have extremely benevolent employees here.”
H.E.R.O.s began communicating virtually with local seniors who were isolating. They have continued using a virtual platform to stay connected.
“Our Memorial employee volunteers ‘adopt,’ for lack of a better word, a senior and have conversations with them to see how they’re doing and if there are any needs we can help fulfill,” said Curtin.
Volunteers also provided “front porch supports,” he said, to safely drop off food, cleaning supplies, masks and other needed items.
“We’re keeping them active, and our volunteers love being active,” said Curtin.
Fundraising Flourishes Despite Pandemic
The pandemic created some unique challenges for the field of fundraising, and yet, Memorial donors stepped up to the plate.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation launched a $56 million capital campaign called Catch the Love to support the expansion of the children's hospital. Donors to the nonprofit foundation are funding a third of the $170 million project that will expand the facility by four floors, thereby doubling its current size.
In March 2021, the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation presented a $20 million check from their donors to the South Broward Hospital District’s Board of Commissioners. During the presentation, Andrew Greenfield, MD, foundation board chair, said this was the first of several forthcoming campaign-generated donations.
“The donors are energized,” Dr. Greenfield said in March. “They recognize Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for what it is: a jewel in South Florida that takes excellent care of our children.”
Learn more about the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital expansion.
One special campaign donation is earmarked for creating and naming a kosher family lounge on the hospital’s new 8th floor.
The Jewish Federation of Broward County, Dorit and Ben J. Genet, and Healing Hearts jointly contributed $350,000 to build an area dedicated to kosher prep and storage, relaxation and prayer.
An estimated 7,000 patients treated at the children’s hospital identified as Jewish. The addition of a kosher lounge addresses the dietary and spiritual needs of patients and families, especially for those spending an extended period at the hospital.
The foundation also successfully raised funds by converting several of its signature special events to virtual formats.
The 2021 ANF Tour de Broward, for example, raised more than $453,000. The 12th annual event was held virtually via a mobile app that participants could download and access during the month of February. The online platform allowed 1,300 walkers, runners and riders to participate in their own time and pace while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. On Feb. 28, 2021, a drive-thru celebration was held at Miramar Regional Park, where participants received their 2021 Tour de Broward shirt, PNC Bank participant medal and goodie bag.
To date, the ANF Tour de Broward has raised nearly $6 million for the programs, services and facilities at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Memorial Foundation
Memorial Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign to assist with funding for a new Memorial Cancer Institute facility that will serve as a comprehensive outpatient center on the campus of Memorial Hospital West.
In addition to providing support for the new building, the campaign will raise funds for cancer research, education and oncology patient support services.
Several community partners have already committed to the campaign, including a $1 million gift from AutoNation.
DONATIONS OF PPE: ~ 1 million donated items
SOURCES OF FUNDING
GRANTS BY PROGRAMS
Hospital Food Pantry Helps Nourish and Heal
To combat the food insecurities so many Floridians face every day, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has established a Food Pantry. The grand opening was held Feb. 22, 2021.
With a grant from Feeding South Florida and support from the Lions Club International, the children’s hospital now offers nutritious takeaway food for patients and their families. Upon discharge, patients or family members can stop at the pantry and fill a reusable grocery bag with healthy foods of their choosing.
More than 18% of Broward County children — or nearly 74,000 — don’t have regular access to food, healthy or otherwise.
“The partnership between Feeding South Florida and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is incredibly important to us,” said Sari Vatski, Executive Vice President of Feeding South Florida. “Not only are we providing immediate access to nutritious food, we are also nourishing lives.”
This alliance facilitates the goals of Lions Club International as well, which prioritizes serving in the areas of pediatric cancer, diabetes and hunger.
“We’re really excited for this partnership going forward. It’s going to help so many people in our area,” said Adita Vazquez, Immediate Past District Governor of Lion’s Club International.
For recovering patients, it is especially important not just to eat, but to maintain a nutrient-dense diet to promote healing. The Food Pantry meets that need.
“We want to encourage patients and families to have the fresh fruits and vegetables, the protein sources, the dairy sources, because for any type of healing, you need good vitamins and minerals,” said Meghean Feidelman, Director of Food and Nutrition Services for the hospital.