Suzy Lohman felt compelled to behave when she discovered that foster youngsters handled at Cincinnati Kids’s Hospital Medical Middle usually lacked correct baggage for his or her belongings. Impressed by a hospital publication request for suitcases, duffel baggage, and backpacks, Suzy launched a drive amongst EVS staff to gather these important objects. Many foster youngsters, she knew, relied on trash baggage to hold their garments and private objects between properties and hospital visits.
With approval from EVS Resident Regional Director of Operations Adam Wilhite, Suzy shortly engaged roughly 424 EVS associates throughout the hospital’s 4 campuses. The venture, held in January, coincided with a service initiative in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Led by the EVS staff on the Liberty Hospital campus, Crothall associates collected about 150 suitcases, duffel baggage, and backpacks. Hospital-wide, roughly 400 objects had been donated to native charities, with the bulk going to the hospital-supported foster care program.
“One purpose this system was so profitable is that donated objects didn’t need to be new—they could possibly be gently used,” says Suzy, who donated a duffel bag. “So, it could possibly be a suitcase somebody already had at residence. Ultimately, we collected so many baggage that the hospital despatched somebody to choose them up.”
EVS technician Amanda Holcomb donated a number of foldable duffel baggage. “I felt I wanted to contribute as a result of I need to assist anybody in want,” Amanda mentioned. “I would like foster youngsters to have one thing good to hold their belongings.”
Alyssa Binik-Thomas, Coaching Supervisor, mentioned motherhood impressed her donation. “As a mom of three, it harm to know youngsters in foster care had been carrying their issues in trash baggage. My youngsters had outgrown their Trunki suitcase, and I didn’t hesitate to ensure not less than one baby had one thing of their very own. Kids in foster care deserve love and the fundamental requirements of life. That is the naked minimal we will do.”
A Particular Trophy for Crothall
To acknowledge the Crothall EVS staff, Cincinnati Kids’s held an awards breakfast, presenting a trophy to the staff. The hospital additionally shared photographs, a video with AI-generated photos of kids (to adjust to HIPAA), and information tales on the intranet.
“The breakfast and trophy had been a beautiful shock,” says Lohman. “It’s one other instance of robust management on the hospital and the way a lot they worth everybody right here, together with Crothall.”
“The Crothall staff offered the biggest share of donations, and we wished to point out our appreciation,” says Haley Shropshire, the hospital’s neighborhood engagement director.
Crothall leaders plan to repeat the suitcase drive yearly, aiming to gather not less than 150 objects subsequent yr.
“For our associates to step up and supply the biggest quantity of donations is heartwarming,” says Paul Easthon, Regional Director of Operations. “Their generosity, empathy, and dedication to the kids made this effort particularly significant.”
