Yvonne Currin, Michael Evans, Paula Lacher and Lisa Graper Introduce the 2009 campaign to the weekend staff
Please consider donating to the following funds, which directly benefit our patients and their families.
West Penn Burn Center Summer Camp
Since 1987, Summer Camp for Burned Children has provided kids ages seven to 17 with the chance to enjoy traditional camp activities and special outings while meeting friends who share their experiences. The five-day adventure gives participants an opportunity to tackle new challenges that boost self-esteem and encourages campers to share their concerns about having been burned and talk about difficult issues involved in their recovery. Camp is free to all children who have been treated in West Penn Burn Center, thanks to generous contributions from donors like you!
Many patients at West Penn Hospital receive treatments that can stretch over weeks or months. When these patients live a great distance from West Penn, already difficult treatment regimens can become even more of a hardship. Family members who would like to support their loved one throughout treatment face the financially draining and time consuming task of locating temporary housing and parking nearby.
West Penn Manor was created to alleviate this burden for families. The 12-unit apartment building on Mathilda Street provides free or low-cost housing options for patients and families who must remain close to the hospital for extended periods of time. Your donation to the West Penn Manor fund will help to ensure that the apartments are as comfortable for families as they are convenient. Funds will be used to make West Penn Manor accessible for individuals with disabilities, install new heating and air conditioning systems in the building, and provide new furnishings, appliances and paint for each apartment.
West Penn Hospital Cribs for Kids Program
A safe-sleep environment has been identified as a key factor in reducing infant deaths, but a modern, safe crib is out of reach for many families. West Penn Hospital has partnered with SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Services) of Pennsylvania and Graco Children’s Products, Inc. to provide low- income moms with a new Graco Pack ‘N Play portable crib, crib sheets and information on “safe sleeping.” The Pack ‘N Play provides a safe sleep environment in the child’s home, and, because of its portability, also can provide this same sleep safe environment wherever the parent takes the child.
Through this unique partnership, you can provide a new crib to an infant in need for just $50—far less than the retail cost of a new crib.
West Penn Hospital Patient Care Fund
Families who are uninsured or underinsured can be devastated by the costs of an unexpected illness. In addition to treatment costs, many patients may require assistance covering day-to-day living expenses. The Patient Care Fund helps patients pay for housing and transportation, food, and clothing while they undergo treatment, and to send them home with medications while they undergo treatmentuntil their insurance kicks in.
For more information on the 2009 Employee Campaign, please contact The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation at 412-578-4427.
FAQs for Employee Campaign
Q: How much should I give?
A: You know best what you can afford. No donation is too small, and every donation helps to improve the quality of life for our patients. Full staff participation is the key. When the Foundation goes to outside funding sources, it is a plus to be able to tell potential funders that all of our employees donate to our programs. And, with the current tight economic conditions, our patients need your help more than ever before.
Q: Can I give to more than one fund?
A: Yes, you can. You can distribute your donation to one or many funds. You can select one or more of the funds on the front of this donor form or write in the name of the fund(s) of your choice. Every dollar you commit will assist a West Penn Hospital patient.
Q: Can employees go together and donate to a fund?
A: Yes. If you and your colleagues want to pool your gifts for a specific fund, just note on the donor form the name of the group (e.g., NICU, Short Stay) and how much you wish to donate as your part of the group donation. Both your individual and group gift will be recognized.
Q: Why does my donation go to The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation?
A: All charitable donations are administered through the Foundation, which assures that all donations are appropriately paid directly to the fund(s) designated on donor forms. No administrative fees are deducted from your donation. The amount you designate is the amount that we deposit in the fund(s) of your choice.
Q: Where do I drop off my form?
A: You can return your form to The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation using the attached “Confidential” envelope via interoffice mail, at the Cashier’s Office, or by sending it to the Foundation at 4818 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. You also may turn it in at the Employee Campaign table, which will be in the cafeteria from 11:30 am to 1 pm on May 18th, 22nd, and 29th and June 5th and 12th.
Q: How do I pay for my pledge?
A: You can pay with cash, check, credit card, or through payroll deduction. Just indicate your choice on the front of the form and provide the appropriate information.
Q: How will I be recognized?
A: New this year – Donors will be listed on a permanent Employee Campaign Donor Recognition wall in the Cafeteria. Donors also will be recognized in the Foundation Annual Report and on the hospital Donor Wall. You also can choose to be anonymous.
More questions? Please contact The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation at 412-578-4427. Thank you so much for supporting West Penn’s mission and purpose by supporting our patients.