Franciscan Physicians Hospital Cares for Kids

MUNSTER | Dec. 19 marked the last St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home fundraising luncheon at Franciscan Physicians Hospital in 2011. Luncheons were held throughout the month of December.

As part of annual support efforts for the children, hospital employees raised $4,000, with all proceeds going to the home. Contributions came from luncheons, payroll deductions and donations.

“My staff is always very considerate towards the children of the Carmelite Home. Supporting them has been a part of our facility’s mission for some time, but we all see the importance now more than ever with the budget crisis they’re facing,” says hospital president Barb Greene.

Physicians and staff generally give presents at Christmas time, but with state funding cuts leaving the home in desperation, a collection was taken instead.

Sister Maria Giuseppe, provincial superior of the Carmelite Home, states “funding cuts have been our biggest struggle over the last year. State funding covers about 70% of our costs, which leaves quite a gap in providing for the children we care for.”

July 2, 2013, will mark the one hundred year anniversary of the E. Chicago Carmelite Home location. Further budget cuts are anticipated in the coming year.

“We cannot express our appreciation to Franciscan Physicians Hospital and the Franciscan Alliance for caring about our children in this great time of need,” says Sr. Giuseppe. “We thank them for allowing us to continue Christ’s ministry in our community.”

To support the Carmelite Home in E. Chicago, send a donation to 4840 Grasselli St., E. Chicago, IN, 46312, or come by in person.

Further support to the Carmelite Home and the community at large will continue to come from Franciscan Physicians Hospital, now a wholly owned, not-for-profit member of the Franciscan Alliance. The hospital, located at 701 Superior Ave. in Munster, holds a number of supportive outreach programs throughout the year.

To learn more, visit online at www.franciscanphysicians.org.

Brandy Egnatz, Service Excellence Member, gives the $4,000 check to Sr. Maria Giuseppe

Soldier Care Package Collection Continues

Soldier care package collections at Franciscan Physicians Hospital and Franciscan Hammond Clinic are well under way. The collection has already drawn hundreds of items to bins located in each facility’s lobby.

The collection, which began on July 14, will continue through August 12.

Dropoff areas are:

Franciscan Physicians Hospital
Hospital Lobby: Rear Entrance
701 Superior Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

AND

Franciscan Hammond Clinic
Main Lobby
7905 Calumet Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

Please look for the bin marked "Designated Drop-Off Area" when bringing items.

In collecting for the troops, both organizations are looking for the following items or similar:

• Plastic jars/Peanut Butter
• Skin lotion
• Chap stick
• Playing cards
• Paperback books; new or used
• White socks
• Hard candy
• Self-opening cans of snacks (Pringles, etc....)
• Drink additives (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-aid, etc....)

Items collected will be divided into smaller care packages and then shipped to soldiers in Iran and Afghanistan. Help us gather as many items as possible in the next eight days to show our love and support for those defending our freedoms!

For more information, contact Andrew Mullins at (219) 922-4200 ext. 5346 or by email at Andrew.mullins@franicscanalliance.org.

Help Us Support Our Troops!

TO THE "TROOPER" IN YOU:

It's important that we remember to thank our soldiers during this patriotic time of year. In celebrating the dedication and endurance our troops display in fighting for out freedom, Franciscan Physicians Hospital and the Franciscan Hammond Clinic are having a soldier care package collection for our troops.

The collection will run from July 11th through August 12th, 2011. Dropoff areas are:

Franciscan Physicians Hospital
Hospital Lobby: Rear Entrance
701 Superior Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

AND

Franciscan Hammond Clinic
Main Lobby
7905 Calumet Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

Please look for the bin marked "Designated Drop-Off Area" when bringing items.

In collecting for the troops, both organizations are looking for the following items or similar:

• Plastic jars/Peanut Butter
• Skin lotion
• Chap stick
• Playing cards
• Paperback books; new or used
• White socks
• Hard candy
• Self-opening cans of snacks (Pringles, etc....)
• Drink additives (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-aid, etc....)

Please help us as we work to show our love and appreciation for all that our troops do. Many thanks go out to those who contribute their time, effort, and resources into putting these gifts together, and even more thanks to the troops fighting for our freedom.

For more information, contact Andrew Mullins, Community Outreach Specialist, at (219)922-4200 ext. 5346.

Holiday Cheer for Those in Need

For the last two years, Franciscan Physicians Hospital employees and physicians have "adopted" children at the Carmelite Home in East Chicago. These people give of themselves this time of year by donating items like clothing, food and money.

The Carmelite Home, which opened in 1913, has evolved from an orphanage to a group home, to a certified residential treatment center for children between the ages of six and 18. They also provide service as an emergency shelter for babies and toddlers in need of immediate assistance. This center is available 24 hours a day.

The Carmelite Home has helped countless children experiencing personal and family problems. Many suffer the trauma of physical and emotional abuse or neglect, needing care and nurturance in a supportive environment.

Many residents of the Carmelite Home are not able to function academically or socially in the public/private school environment, so they've created an accredited home school to meet their individual needs. Now students who were once failing are succeeding with new confidence!

The impact made on these individuals with help from Franciscan Physicians Hospital's is positive. By providing gifts and necessities, these children can experience the Christmas that they deserve in the loving environment of the Carmelite Home.

Thank you to the employees and physicians who made this possible. Christ's love is shown through your grace and generosity during this giving time of year.

Donating to Those In Need This Season

With Christmas just around the corner and Thanksgiving just behind, it's important to think about those who are less fortunate than us. While so many people have suffered hardship and economic loss over the last year, there are so many more with little or nothing to hang on to.

Our organization, under the guidance of the Franciscan Alliance, works in and throughout the community to help provide for those in need. Our charitable donations go to a variety of programs and provide support to the services of our Franciscan values: Respect for Life, Fidelity to our Mission, Compassionate Concern, Joyful Service and Christian Stewardship.

We rely on the generosity of individuals and organizations throughout Northwest Indiana to help us continue to provide exceptional healthcare to the families in our community and for future generations to come. It's your contribution that provides not only services and provisions to those in need, but hope.

The hope that each person knows they're cared for and loved through Christ. It is his love that is truly reflected by the kindness of individuals like you.

So this season, please give. Whether it is money, time or moral support, give all that you can to ensure that those with less know there's a future ahead.

Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to one of our great organizations that work to provide exceptional healthcare services:

-Franciscan Physicians Hospital
-Saint Margaret Mercy (Hammond and Dyer)
-Saint Anthony Memorial
-Saint Anthony Medical Center

For more information on giving, contact Rob Cummings, Regional Director of Philanthropy, at (219)932-2300 ext. 32554.

There's so much to be thankful for this time of year. Share that appreciation with those around you. From the Physicians and staff at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!