COMMUNITY GIVING

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 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.

The fresh produce brought some relief and peace of mind to environmental services worker Rahel Tesema. “I have four kids, and my husband had lost his job,” she says. “This is wonderful, especially with my kids at home.” She planned to use the produce to cook for her family on a rare day off. Daisy Izaguirre, a registered nurse at Houston Methodist, is just one of many workers who has taken on extra shifts during the pandemic, and she picked up a box of donated produce at the end of a long day. “It makes me feel like I’m important, that I haven’t been forgotten,” Izaguirre says. “It takes such a load off.” Husband-and-wife team Margie van Elten and Fitzgerald “Joe” Blommaert found an artistic way to honor those who lost their lives during COVID-19 and to pay tribute to the health care heroes who fought so hard to save lives. The couple made a lead gift to fund an immersive hanging sculpture at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. The artwork will foster a soothing and introspective environment at the hospital. The sculpture, which will be named the Charles van Elten COVID-19 Memorial Sculpture, memorializes van Elten’s father. It will serve as testament to his love for the arts. “My dad understood the healing power of the arts in a health care environment, and we wanted to share his passion with all those who enter the hospital doors,” says van Elten. “This sculpture will also represent the strength we have built together during a profound time in our history.”