Henry Ward Beecher once said that “Every charitable act is a steppingstone towards heaven.” Saint Mary’s Hospital colleagues along with the Waterbury Police Department (WPD) and the Brian Gibbons Homeless Outreach, came together to fill backpacks for those in need.
Saint Mary's colleagues, the Waterbury Police Department, and Brian Gibbons Homeless Outreach came together to fill backpacks for those in need.
It was all hands on deck on Tuesday, April 29 in preparation for WPD’s “Nighttime Outreach” event set for Wednesday, April 30 on the Waterbury Green. Fifty backpacks were stuffed with essentials like bodywash, deodorant, hats, gloves, socks, and more. This was done to give community members experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorder, and homelessness, the necessities they may not have access to. Captain Michael Stokes, WPD Night Shift Commander, spearheaded the “Nighttime Outreach” initiative after decades of working with this underserved population.
Saint Mary’s long-time colleague, Robin Cracco, MSN, RN, Clinical Leader, Infusion Center, was singled out by Captain Stokes the day before the “Nighttime Outreach.” He took a moment to recognize her decades of partnership and work helping the community’s most vulnerable. Captain Stokes presented Robin with t-shirt that read “Unstoppable” to highlight her continued commitment to the community. Robin proudly held her t-shirt up in appreciation. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. I think of giving, not as a duty but as a privilege that fills my heart while lifting the spirits of our less fortunate friends,” she said.
The “Nighttime Outreach” initiative took over the Waterbury Green from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Wednesday. Several area service agencies were on hand to provide assistance to the city’s underserved and homeless population.
Saint Mary's colleagues, Waterbury Police Department, and the Brian Gibbons Homeless Outreach prepare to donate bags to those in need.