On June 21, 2018, members of Empath Health’s Women’s Giving Network (WGN) gathered to hear funding request presentations from 13 Empath Health departments, each requesting funding for a unique project, service or program that makes Empath Health “special.”
Twenty-one Women’s Giving Network members participated and awarded a total of $18,000. After thoughtful discussion and consideration, members voted to fund the following:
- Crimson Movement – Empath Partners In Care (EPIC) – Feminine products for low income and homeless EPIC clients – Requested $1500 – Funded $3000
- Weighted Blankets – Hospice – Sensory intervention to reduce anxiety in Hospice patients admitted to Bayfront Hospice Care Center – Requested & Funded $1560
- Ultrasound/TENS Machine – Home Health – Enables rapid healing and decreased pain and inflammation – Requested $1000 (for one machine) – Funded $2000 (2 machines)
- Air Mattresses – Hospice/Emergency Preparedness – Hurricane Preparedness for families of patients and staff during emergency evacuations – Requested $2600 – Funded $1300
- Caring Touch Training – Hospice – Adding Myofascial Release (special gentle massage) to the Integrative Medicine and Palliative Arts program – Requested & Funded $2540
- Music to Our Ears – Hospice/Teen Volunteer Programs – A multigenerational palliative arts program using music to help communicate – Requested & Funded $1480
- Music in Caregiving – Hospice – Provide music during caregiving to reduce falls and anxiety, and to enhance the quality of life – Requested $5000 – Funded $2500
- Creating a Healing Oasis – Community Health/Hospice – Provide Reiki and aromatherapy to those grieving from a sudden, traumatic loss – Requested & Funded – $1000
- Care Notes – Hospice – Pamphlets on a variety of topics for people dealing with intensely emotional situations – Requested $3500 – Funded $1431
- Veterans Serving Veterans (Volunteer Services) – Hospice – Honoring the service of military veterans – Requested & Funded $1350
For A Grand Total Of: $18,161.00
In addition to providing over $18,000 in much-needed program funding, Women’s Giving Network member Kathy Wilder, committed $17,000 to the Teen Scholarship Endowment Fund, bringing the fund to the minimum necessary to provide annual scholarships to Empath Health Teen Volunteers! Another member, Suzan Decker-Ross, committed an additional $1500 to EPIC’s Crimson Movement project towards feminine hygiene products for clients in need, as well as recruited a new WGN member who added her support. And the giving continued with Empath Health’s Vice President of Innovation and Community Health, Stacy Orloff and her husband Bruce contributing additional funds to cover the amount awarded over $18,000.
The Women’s Giving Network is dedicated to inspiring, educating and encouraging women to effect change through philanthropy and leadership. WGN members become ambassadors in the community for the programs and services of Empath Health, including hospice, palliative home health and physician services, independent living assistance and day care for seniors, HIV services and advance care planning.
The WGN is accepting new members at this time. If you are interested in learning more please contact Carla Mattern at 727-523-3414, or carlamattern@empathhealth.org.