Local Heroes
Twig Members Support Goryeb Children’s Hospital By Jackie Schatell
C
hatham residents Samantha Ekert and Amy Crandall lead the Chatham Twig, a branch of the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center. The Twig was started in 2010 and has approximately 50 members from Chatham and surrounding towns. The members are involved in hands-on projects and fundraising throughout Goryeb Children’s Hospital. To date, the Twig has donated $45,000 to support various programming and equipment needs and approximately $20,000 in in-kind collections. The Twig is a regular fixture at Morristown Medical Center. Over the years, its Goryeb projects have included hosting a variety of seasonal parties and parent education sessions, decorating the pediatric units quarterly and delivering seasonal patient goody bags, making no-sew fleece blankets for pediatric patients, assembling backpacks and supplies for pediatric cancer patients, and conducting various in-kind collection drives. The Twig has also held numerous events over the years including its signature Women, Wine, and Wisdom and Yoga in the Garden events. These fundraisers not only support the Twig’s activities, special events, and ongoing programming, but allow the Twig to make generous financial gifts to the hospital. For the third year, the Twig has sponsored a generous scholarship for the continuing education of a pediatric nurse. “Each of us has been touched by a nurse at one time or another— whether it’s bedside during childbirth, during a child’s ER visit, or a long-term stay due to pediatric illness. This is our small way of acknowledging the incredible work they do and compassion they have,” says Samantha.
From left are Amy Crandall and Samantha Ekert, the leaders of the Chatham Twig, a branch of the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center.
According to Samantha, many Twig members have deep heartstring connections to the hospital. “The Twig is very dear to my heart because we lost an infant several years ago and I feel the work we do for the hospital touches families’ lives the way I was supported in my time of need,” says Amy. “I was thankful for what the hospital did for us and am so happy to return the favor to others.” She adds, “It is a nice way for women to lift each other up, support each other, and support causes that are important. Any way we can help each other is central.”
If you know someone that goes above and beyond, send an email to jackie.subessex@gmail.com 10
Vicinity Magazine
June 2022
