COMMUNITY GIFTS LIFT SPIRITS
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, unique gifts — from hot meals, fresh produce and baked goods to vehicles, face masks and murals — have uplifted front-line workers at Houston Methodist. Hundreds of businesses, individuals, churches and organizations have found valuable and creative ways to support the teams who dedicate their lives to compassionate patient care. In the first few months of the pandemic, more than 200,000 items were donated, including 150,000 masks, 40,000 pairs of gloves, 1,000
14
Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation
overalls, 900 face shields, 11,150 meals, 2,000 cases of water, gallons of hand sanitizer, phone chargers, wheelchairs and more. “The community came together to support our front-line workers in practical, meaningful ways, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone,” says Dr. Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist. Helfman Motors-River Oaks Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram donated a 2020 Dodge ProMaster City van, which Houston Methodist fleet manager John Walters immediately made available for use by the staff.
The hospital’s leadership is grateful to Renee and Alan Helfman and Hillary and Blake Helfman for their generosity. Clare Casademont and Michael Metz, plus more than 75 friends at Vitol — an international energy and commodities company with offices in Houston — contributed $76,000 in meals to encourage Houston Methodist staff during the pandemic. Recognizing that many health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients had no time to shop for groceries, the Produce Alliance Foundation — with local distributor Brothers Produce — brought 650 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to nurses and workers in nutrition, hospitality and environmental services.
