The Generosity Continues - Submitted by Sydney Dixon Foundation Intern
We received a phone call recently from a donor who had two round trip tickets to Boston and wasn’t able to use them. The donor wanted to pass along the tickets to a travel fund recipient who would be traveling for specialized health care in the next couple of months.
The Foundation Team thought of names, and a few travelers came to mind that would benefit greatly from the round trip flight. We called our first travel recipient-whose upcoming appointment did not line up with the of [...]
Last winter the CVPH Rehab Team applied for a Solo-Step track system through The Foundation’s Mini Grants. I had the privilege of meeting John, a patient using the Solo-Step with the goal of regaining his ability to walk. John fell out of a tree stand while hunting in Ohio last November and sustained a spinal cord injury. He has a wonderful sense of humor and when I met him he was picking on his therapists to make them laugh. His therapists got right to work with hi [...]
Recently, I was reminded why I do what I do. I am the connection between our AMAZING DONORS and people who are having a difficult time medically and financially. A young man stopped into the office to pick up a check for recent travel out of our area for medical necessity. In a random turn of events, it was discovered that his heart was leaking. He was referred to a surgeon in New York City and told that he would need to stay for about two weeks for prep and recover [...]
The Foundation of CVPH intern's perspective of a new program submitted by Jess Rojas
My mother was five months pregnant, and like most expecting mothers, spent her free time reading baby name books. She was expecting her third child, a daughter. She had finally decided on the name Kassandra after her favorite childhood novella protagonist. We loved it.
My mother was experiencing a bit of discomfort one afternoon. She reassured me it was normal. My father insisted on taking her to the hospital just in case as soon as he came home from work. My father was a chef and would work [...]
It has been almost two and a half months since I have started my position as Manager of Volunteer Services. When I first came in these doors, I knew I was given an amazing opportunity to work with great volunteers, who make a difference in people’s lives every day. As the time has gone by, I have gotten to know so many of the volunteers, and have a true appreciation for them. I look forward to hearing their own personal stories of their everyday lives. I love being a sounding board and get [...]
What I learned when we recruited for a Manager of Volunteer Services
We’re fortunate to have many volunteers at the hospital who come in to help and to make a difference throughout the hospital – of course I know that. What I didn’t know is just how committed these folks are to lending a hand and wanting to help people.
During the transition and recruitment of a new Manager of Volunteer Services, Foundation staff has been filling in to guide new volunteers through the onboarding process, helping with any issues tha [...]
One of our hospital volunteers, Kathy Ryan, was rounding on patients as part of the falls prevention program she is part of. She checks with patients in the hospital to make sure they have anti-slip socks on, that their alarms are set so they don’t try to get up without assistance and that proper identification is in place to alert staff. The last question she asks before leaving the patient’s room is, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
On [...]
January 28, 2016 was the best and worst day of my life. My daughter, Violet, was born that morning at 5:14. The first thing every mom listens for is the cry, that first cry. I didn’t hear it. I asked if she was crying and I just didn’t hear her, the staff calmly told me, “Not yet.” They moved her to the warmer on the other side of the room the second she was born and I didn’t get to see her or hold her. My husband stood to the sid [...]
It was a spectacular spring day in 2002. The sun was shining and the breeze no longer swept the cold from the snow-covered ground. By Adirondack standards, it was warm. The little 4-year old girl, Easter basket in hand, takes her place among the throngs of other youngsters waiting for CVPH Easter Egg Hunt to begin. Despite the event being only a few years old, it was wildly popular and hundreds of families gathered around the perimeter of the hospital’s front lawn. The young hu [...]
One of my favorite times of the year is mini grant review day...It demonstrates the passion our team has for their patients and their jobs.
Mini grants are grants that we give to departments throughout the hospital for program or equipment needs that will enhance patient care. The typical amount awarded is around $3,000 but last year, we expanded that amount to a limit of $15,000 each for big projects. The requests are for items that, for some reason or another, didn’t&rsquo [...]