This year, out of the record-breaking seventy-three applications that were received, fifty-one families from Forest Park Southeast and Botanical Heights were recipients of the Washington University Medical Center (WUMC) Holiday Outreach program. Each family was matched with a department from the Washington University School of Medicine and BJC Corporate. Families typically receive food, clothing, bedding, toys, housewares, small appliances, and utility assistance.
The annual Holiday Outreach Program allows WUMC to connect area individuals and families with other support services available in the area. WUMC, through its Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation (WUMCRC), sponsors an employment training, placement and retention program in partnership with MERS-Goodwill. Individuals and families participating in this year’s Holiday Outreach Program have an opportunity to also participate in the employment program.
This year’s program was a tremendous success. Below are some quick facts from this years program:
Total applications received: 73*
Total families served: 51
Total cash raised for utility/gift assistance: $13, 500*
Employee donated gift value: $6,010*
Anonymous donated gift value: $5,000
Total number of participating WUMC departments: 40
Over 200 individual employees made donations
*New record!
Quotes from department representatives regarding the program:
Department adopting Family 64-“Thanks so much for the wonderful presentation! We were so excited to help out this year too! Happy New Year to you!”
Department adopting Family 29-“You and your office did a great job with all of this! Thank you.”
Department adopting Family 13-“Thanks. It is so nice to put a face with the family…Thanks for all of the hard work you do in coordinating this effort. How fulling for you to know how much you have helped these families during such a hard season.”
Department adopting Family 16-“Thank you for sending [family pictures with the gifts]…that is AWESOME to see 🙂 The family sure looks happy!!”
