Saint Margaret Mercy outreach in 2005

January 25, 2006

HAMMOND/DYER—As a non-profit healthcare organization that carries the mission of Continuing Christ's Ministry In Our Franciscan Tradition, Saint Margaret Mercy extends healing beyond the hospital into the surrounding community each year.

Outreach in 2005 began with cash donations for the tsunami victims. Saint Margaret Mercy is coordinating their efforts with Catholic Relief Services and the Diocese of Gary.

In 2005, employees contributed cash donations of $616,266 to the hospital's Catherine McAuley Clinic for the working poor. This year's total includes a donation of $10,000 from an anonymous employee from Financial Counseling during the annual employee fundraising campaign.

Each month Saint Margaret Mercy's C.A.R.E. Committee works with employees to collect personal care items, non-perishable food products and back-to-school supplies that go to various food pantries, warming shelters and local schools. In 2005, employees contributed a total of $50,865.02 in donated items during C.A.R.E. Collections, which culminate each year with the hospital's Adopt-a-Family program in December. This year, 71 families, including 280 children, received gifts and food that employees shopped for, wrapped and personally delivered to their selected families.

Also in December, Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection, an affiliate of Saint Margaret Mercy, sponsored a coat drive in conjunction with Brother's Keeper for Chicago area homeless. And throughout the year, Social Services at the Hammond campus keeps a clothing closet for homeless patients upon discharge.

In order to make preventive healthcare more available to more people, the hospital sponsored its annual Days of Health in September. Reduced-price screenings included 92 prostate, 75 abdominal aortic aneurysm and carotid vascular screenings, 38 foot, 51 pulmonary function and 29 bone density screenings. These were offered in addition to blood pressure, glucose and eye checks. The hospital also offers reduced-price cholesterol screenings and mammograms at various times of the year. In October, the hospital sponsored a Breast Cancer Awareness Expo. The free-of-charge event was filled to capacity.

On a rainy Sunday in September, approximately 300 Saint Margaret Mercy employees, family and friends displayed true Joyful Service when they walked in Merrillville to raise nearly $30,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Saint Margaret Mercy President Tom Gryzbek chaired the event.

Last, but certainly not least, Saint Margaret Mercy's dedicated auxiliary contributed a total of $182,000. Proceeds come from the hospital's gift shops and various fundraisers that the auxiliary sponsors throughout the year.

Saint Margaret Mercy's mission is "Continuing Christ's Ministry In Our Franciscan Tradition," which includes our Franciscan Values of Respect for Life, Fidelity to our Mission, Compassionate Concern, Joyful Service and Christian Stewardship. Hospital employees keep the mission alive with voluntarily contributions to monthly C.A.R.E. (Courtesy, Attitude, Respect, Enthusiasm) collections and the annual Cathernine McAuley Clinic employee campaign and various mission activities throughout the year.