ST. JOHN’S CLINIC FORCE FOR GOOD RAISES $50,000 FOR “CARE TO LEARN”
St. John’s Clinic
physicians and co-workers presented a $50,000 check to the Foundation
for Springfield Public Schools’ Care to Learn fund Dec. 16. That means a
$250,000 donation, thanks to matching funds offered by founders of the
program. The matching funds will be available next April.
Local businessman Doug Pitt, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, local
philanthropist Jim D. Morris and a private donor started the Care to
Learn fund with the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools to support
schools and students in meeting basic needs such as, but not limited to:
hunger, health and hygiene.
The fund so far has
provided staple items, like underwear, socks and other personal hygiene
supplies to 300 students in schools throughout the district.
The Jolie-Pitt
Foundation, Morris and the private donor match every donation the fund
receives 4 to 1 up to $50,000.
"Care To Learn is
about immediate funding for emergency needs that are disrupting their
classroom experience. Upon meeting those needs, my greatest satisfaction
is restoring a child's respect and dignity to walk amongst their peers,”
Doug Pitt said.
According to Nancy Fazzino, executive director for Springfield Public
Schools Foundation, Care to Learn has provided 2880 backpacks of food in
September through December of this year. Since the program began last
year, they have provided vouchers which include funding for: 69 pairs of
pants/jeans & sweaters; 41 packages of socks and underwear; 35 hygiene
products; 20 pairs of shoes; 70 coats; 15 pairs of gloves and 15 winter
hats. They have also processed 150 bus vouchers used for emergency bus
transportation and also to transport the families to Wal-Mart to redeem
the vouchers if they do not have a car or unable to afford
transportation.
“In
the past two months we have seen an increase in the number of voucher
requests from the schools, Fazzino said. “Care to Learn has truly made
a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable students. I cannot say
enough about how wonderful this fund has been and will continue to be.
All of our schools have pockets of poverty, some more concentrated than
others but not one is immune. This fund makes it possible to help those
children directly and discreetly. The main thing is these children come
to school feeling good about themselves and ready to learn on a more
level playing field because their most basic needs are being met. With
all that is going on with the economy I predict an increase in the need
in the near future. As I review the requests almost without exception
the requests we have received in the last couple of weeks were due to
parents losing their jobs or hours being cut. This fund is a true
blessing for our children!”
“It’s troubling to
see what some of the kids in our community are going through,” said Donn
Sorensen, St. John’s Health System executive vice president. “We felt
the Care to Learn program was a very worthy beneficiary of our Force for
Good efforts because it helps kids immediately when they need clothing,
food or other necessities.”
Since its inception
in 2003, St. John’s Clinic Force for Good, a fund within St. John’s
Foundation for Community Health, has raised more than $600,000 for local
charities. Funds come from personal donations of physicians and staff
and from fundraising activities such as bake sales and special events.
Last December, St.
John’s Clinic Force for Good was chosen as the winner of the 15th
annual Modern Healthcare Magazine Community Spirit of Excellence Award.
The Spirit of Excellence Award honors organizations and individuals that
go beyond what is expected in serving their patients and communities.
FOR MEDIA
INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ST. JOHN’S MEDIA RELATIONS AT 820-2426 or
cora.scott@mercy.net.