The season of giving exemplifies the true spirit of the Saint Mary’s Hospital community. Over the course of the holiday season, colleagues participated in several giving drives to benefit the underserved in the area.
Saint Mary's Leadership team and colleagues help Waterbury Health Department staff load coats and toys collected during the holiday drives.
One initiative was a collection of items in support of the Waterbury Police Department’s Overnight Outreach. The event, held on the evening of December 9, supported vulnerable individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use disorders and homelessness. Colleagues collected and put together backpacks stuffed with essential items such as socks, hats, gloves, toiletries and snacks. The event also provided hot meals, as well as housing, health and basic needs services.
Saint Mary’s long-time colleague, Robin Cracco, MSN, RN, Clinical Leader, Infusion Center, was singled out by the Waterbury Police Department (WPD) for her decades of partnership and work helping the most vulnerable in the community. Captain Michael Stokes, Night Shift Commander with the WPD presented Robin with a “Challenge Coin” to mark her as a member of their “team.” Challenge Coins are traditionally presented by law enforcement personnel or military unit commanders in recognition of a special achievement by a member of the unit.
Colleagues also supported two initiatives for the Waterbury Health Department, a toy drive and a coat drive. The Warming Waterbury initiative saw the collection of dozens of new coats, along with gloves, mittens and blankets to be distributed to the underserved in the city. Operating Room nurse, Emily Hibbard and her mother donated a bag full of handknitted hats and mittens. In addition, the Health Department’s Local Prevention Council spearheaded the Toy Drive to give Waterbury’s children a joyful holiday season. Colleagues donated over 100 dolls, stuffed animals, educational games, books and sports equipment.
Lastly, another 50 more backpacks with socks, hats, and toiletry items will be given to the Center for Human Development’s Hospitality Center in Waterbury. The Hospitality Center helps people experiencing homelessness take care of basic needs so they can move toward stability. It is a safe haven for homeless adults, where guests can take a hot shower, do laundry, make phone calls, collect mail, take shelter from the elements and enjoy a brief respite from daily struggles.