Foresters Financial fund dignity through hygiene kits
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Members of Foresters Financial have generously donated hygiene kits which are distributed to patients in the Emergency Department at our Hospital. From left, Peter Hayes, RN; Kevin Herman, Canada Regional Councillor, Foresters Financial and John Ross, Manager, Emergency Department. |
By Heather Vita - December 27, 2017
You never know when you’re going to end up in the Emergency Department at the Hospital. It’s not like it’s ever a planned visit. Knowing this, members of Foresters FinancialTM decided they wanted to provide basic hygiene kits for patients who came in with nothing and needed the basic necessities to help them through their stay.
Kevin Herman, Canada Regional Councillor from Foresters explained, “People from out of and in town come in unexpectedly and with no family to get them necessary items, we thought hygiene kits would cover basic needs and we brought it up with the Emergency Department team and they were on board with us doing this project.”
Since the project first began in October 2016, more than 1,200 hygiene kits have been distributed at the Hospital; more than were initially planned, but once word spread that they were available, there have been multiple requests for more.
John Ross, Manager of the Emergency Department, was wheeling the completed kits down the hall to the Emergency Department when he was stopped by Dr. Peter Voros (Director, Adult Mental Health) who asked where the kits came from and if he could have a few as their department was in dire need. Of course John said yes. Dr Voros contacted Kevin and upon further discussion, Forester members specifically put together 400 kits just for Adult Mental Health.
“The Hygiene kits have been tremendously helpful as we transition our patients out of the Hospital, as it makes them much more comfortable,” said Dr. Voros. “The kits provide for some life essentials that many of us take for granted. Some of our team actually cried with appreciation knowing they could send people home with something. Sometimes it’s the little things that can have a big impact.”
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The hygiene kits generously provided by volunteers of Foresters Financial include a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, a bar of soap, lotion, alcohol-free mouth wash and a deodorant stick. |
Inside each kit is a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, a bar of soap, lotion, alcohol-free mouth wash and a deodorant stick. The kits are generally given out in the Emergency Department to a patient who is admitted to the Hospital from Emergency Department. Many in-patient units throughout the hospital have noted what a wonderful idea it is and are requesting their own stock.
Kevin is very proud of the work done by about 12-14 volunteers from Foresters who came to pack all the bags. The members were ecstatic about the idea, have enjoyed a worthwhile project and love what they’re doing. In total Foresters has donated $5,553.75 to fund the products in the kits; it’s the stories that are relayed back to the members from those receiving the kits that make it all worthwhile. As Kevin said, “It makes us realize we’re doing the right thing.”
Foresters is a member-based and community spirited Fraternal Benefit Society that operates in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries. 415924 CAN/US (12/17)