For two weeks in June, CoxHealth employees in Springfield, Branson and Monett were invited to donate personal hygiene items for mothers in need at LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home in Springfield and Jesus Was Homeless in Branson. Thousands of items were donated and delivered to the agencies recently.
Beth Rutherford, Nursing Administration, who helped to organize the Springfield/Monett drive says approximately 2,200 items were delivered to LifeHouse.
“The staff at LifeHouse was just overwhelmed as box after box came in to their building,” says Rutherford. “From personal hygiene items, new diaper bags, cleaning supplies, children's toys and books, first-aid items, funds for bus passes all the way to clean underwear, baby wipes, and prenatal vitamins. CoxHealth employees gave generously and the three car loads showed it!”
LifeHouse’s leaders expressed their sincere appreciation to every employee who gave towards meeting the agency’s needs.
“Everyone was overwhelmed by the sheer number of items donated,” says Maureen Jersak, director of Communications and Development, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. “These donations are such necessary items for our residents, and they are consumable products that need constant refilling. This tremendous gift frees up more of our dollars to go directly to providing services for our young ladies and their babies. We are so grateful to CoxHealth employees, each and every one who donated and helped to gather these together for us.”
Rutherford says a special appreciation goes out to the following departments that participated in the "Adopt-A-Need" opportunities: Marketing, Labor and Delivery South, Lab (South and MOHR), 3 West, 200 Women and Newborn, FDC Business Office/Patient Service Department/Reception, ED South/North, 7W Pediatrics, Acute Care Therapy, FDC OB-GYN office, Women's Center, Pharmacy South, Case Management, Neonatal ICU, and Psych Intervention Team.
Photo: Cox Monett employees – Leichelle Cotney, Deb Isenmann and Jennifer McColloch.
The collection drive in Branson benefited the Jesus Was Homeless agency. Branson employees donated 367 bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and other personal care items to help mothers in need in the Branson area.
The collection drive in Branson benefited the Jesus Was Homeless agency. Branson employees donated 367 bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and other personal care items to help mothers in need in the Branson area.
“These toiletry and personal hygiene items are a huge benefit to us so that we can help the hurting, hungry and homeless,” said Ashley Lauer, with Jesus Was Homeless.
She said for single mothers who are struggling to make ends meet each month, personal hygiene items are often hard to squeeze into a budget.
“They are doing everything they can every day just so they can put food on the table,” Lauer said.
The items are being distributed during Jesus Was Homeless’ weekly meal delivery.
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