My Little Waiting Room at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is entirely funded through donations. This first center will help thousands of families in Portland, Oregon and also nationally when we share what we've learned with others across the country. Hundreds of individuals and many foundations, corporations and community organizations have donated, but more is needed.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation here's how:
BY PHONE OR EMAIL
Contact Tricia Sullivan, Development Officer at Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, 503-216-6626, Tricia.Sullivan@providence.org
BY MAIL
1. Make a check out to “Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation.”
2. Write “My Little Waiting Room Fund” in the memo line.
3. Mail to: Tricia Sullivan, Development Officer, Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, 9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland, OR 97225.
ONLINE
1. Click here.
Announcing Our First Hospital Partner!
Little could we have imagined back in July, 2006 when Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer that a year later two friends would go on to found a non-profit dedicated to bringing drop-in child care to the hospital. Nor could we have imagined a better way to find our first hospital partner.
We met Dick Clark, Executive Director at Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, on the advice of a friend Paula Fasano. Dick had just transferred from Providence Portland where he had spearheaded the multi-million dollar fundraising effort to create a new cancer center. He and his wife had also just celebrated the completion of her cancer treatment. It was March, 2008. We expected Dick to advise us on how we might convince a hospital to create drop-in child care for patients’ and their visitors’ children. Instead Dick surprised us by saying, “I think it’s a great idea! You had me at hello. Let’s build it here!”
Dick introduced us to Alex Jackson, Associate Administrator at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. As a father of two young children, Alex immediately saw the potential in our project, and joined our effort. The two became our biggest champions for bringing drop-in child care to the hospital to ease the way for patients and their families.
Soon after those first few meetings, Dick secured the foundation trustees’ commitment for start-up funds and Alex found a space that the hospital could donate. We developed a request for proposals and found a professional child care organization to operate the service. (We will announce the name of this fantastic partner soon.) A steering committee was formed.
In November 2009, construction permits were filed with Washington County for a 1,000+ square foot, sun-lit space on the main floor of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Once the permits are approved, construction will begin. We hope to open by Father’s Day, 2010, if not sooner.
Along the way we have met many extraordinary people who have joined this effort to bring drop-in child care to the hospital so that children can thrive while families heal. In particular, we want to thank two steering committee members, Tricia Sullivan and Christina Oakley, who have adopted this project as their own.
Thank you to everyone else who has joined us so far. Your support will help so many families enjoy the brightest possible futures together.
A Magical Trip, A Wonderful Company, and Eight Inspirational Moms
Before the sun came up last Friday morning, Melissa and I were on our way to warm, sunny Atlanta for a weekend celebration with Kids II, the company behind the Pink Power Moms program. At the airport we were greeted by a limo driver bearing pink roses and gift bags who took us to the incredible Four Seasons Hotel.
That night we joined the 2009 Bright Starts Pink Power Moms and the Bright Starts marketing team for dinner and bowling in our own private bowling suite. As I looked around, even though I knew these women had all been through intense treatment for breast cancer, seeing them bowling, laughing and sharing stories, it was hard to imagine. These women are not just surviving breast cancer, they are thriving!
The next day we were all treated to breakfast in our rooms, spa treatments and lunch poolside. That evening we attended Kids II's 40th anniversary party as their honored guests where we were each presented with donations to the charities of our choosing.
Melissa and I were so happy to have the opportunity to meet our wonderful donors in person and to personally thank them for all they have done for us.
We were so impressed by all of the people we met at Kids II, the extraordinary welcome they gave us, and their tremendous generosity. We were inspired by the Pink Power Moms, their stories and the people who have supported them in their journeys. We were honored to be the chosen charity of one of the moms.
I look forward to watching these people and their organizations blossom in the coming years. As Maya Angelou said, "If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." I hope the good people at Kids II know that their good work is making brighter futures possible for families everywhere. Together, we are all in very, very good company.
Now back home, even though we were sad to leave the fairy tale weekend, as happens so often with My Little Waiting Room, I am full of a feeling of possibility. Like we've only just begun.
That night we joined the 2009 Bright Starts Pink Power Moms and the Bright Starts marketing team for dinner and bowling in our own private bowling suite. As I looked around, even though I knew these women had all been through intense treatment for breast cancer, seeing them bowling, laughing and sharing stories, it was hard to imagine. These women are not just surviving breast cancer, they are thriving!
The next day we were all treated to breakfast in our rooms, spa treatments and lunch poolside. That evening we attended Kids II's 40th anniversary party as their honored guests where we were each presented with donations to the charities of our choosing.
Melissa and I were so happy to have the opportunity to meet our wonderful donors in person and to personally thank them for all they have done for us.
We were so impressed by all of the people we met at Kids II, the extraordinary welcome they gave us, and their tremendous generosity. We were inspired by the Pink Power Moms, their stories and the people who have supported them in their journeys. We were honored to be the chosen charity of one of the moms.
I look forward to watching these people and their organizations blossom in the coming years. As Maya Angelou said, "If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." I hope the good people at Kids II know that their good work is making brighter futures possible for families everywhere. Together, we are all in very, very good company.
Now back home, even though we were sad to leave the fairy tale weekend, as happens so often with My Little Waiting Room, I am full of a feeling of possibility. Like we've only just begun.
Meet My Little Waiting Room’s Summer Intern Emily Merkel
We are thrilled to welcome Emily Merkel as our very first My Little Waiting Room summer intern! Emily received a competitive $2,000 grant from Barnard Alumni Association to underwrite her work for My Little Waiting Room this summer.
Emily is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy High School in Portland, Oregon. She has just completed her third undergraduate year of studies at Barnard College in New York City. She brings a background in pre-med and public health experience, including public health volunteer work in India, to our organization.
She will be a great help as we get our organization and our first location up and running!
Emily is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy High School in Portland, Oregon. She has just completed her third undergraduate year of studies at Barnard College in New York City. She brings a background in pre-med and public health experience, including public health volunteer work in India, to our organization.
She will be a great help as we get our organization and our first location up and running!
My Little Waiting Room Receives Major Funding Pledge from Bright Starts®
We are thrilled to have received a $23,000 pledge from Bright Starts®, a registered brand of Kids II, Inc., a leading baby brand!
Bright Starts will also donate infant toys and gear to equip the first My Little Waiting Room site. PLUS, they are featuring Amy and our project in a national ad in the May and June issues of American Baby magazine and the June issue of Parents magazine. This is all a result of Amy’s family friend Jennifer Snyder nominating her to be one of eight “Pink Power Moms” in the nation last year.
If YOU know of a mom who deserves recognition for her inspirational fight against breast cancer, and a chance to receive a $5,000 donation to the breast cancer charity of her choosing, nominate her at www.pinkpowermom.com.
Bright Starts will also donate infant toys and gear to equip the first My Little Waiting Room site. PLUS, they are featuring Amy and our project in a national ad in the May and June issues of American Baby magazine and the June issue of Parents magazine. This is all a result of Amy’s family friend Jennifer Snyder nominating her to be one of eight “Pink Power Moms” in the nation last year.
If YOU know of a mom who deserves recognition for her inspirational fight against breast cancer, and a chance to receive a $5,000 donation to the breast cancer charity of her choosing, nominate her at www.pinkpowermom.com.
My Little Waiting Room To Benefit From MOMS Club of Gresham Fundraising Event!
The MOMS Club of Gresham is holding its 5th annual scrapbook fundraiser Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at The First Baptist Church, 224 W. Powell Blvd in Gresham, Oregon. 100% of the money raised goes to My Little Waiting Room and West Women & Children Shelter. Tickets cost $10.00 pre-event or $12.00 day of event at the door. A light breakfast and lunch are provided. Door prizes will be given out every hour. There will be a silent auction and lots of raffle baskets. Reserve your spot today by calling Grace Grange, club Vice President, Cell -503-481-2847 OR Home -503-630-1919. Seating is limited.
My Little Waiting Room is honored to be a recipient of this fundraiser. Thank you MOMS Club of Gresham!
My Little Waiting Room is honored to be a recipient of this fundraiser. Thank you MOMS Club of Gresham!
My Little Waiting Room on KATU!
My Little Waiting Room was profiled by KATU Channel 2 as part of their Everday Heroes series. Read about it and watch the news clip at:
www.katu.com/news/39678477.html#idc-container
Thanks to anchorman Steve Dunn, executive producer Tracey Lam, and their team for telling our story in words and pictures so beautifully and even better than we can!
www.katu.com/news/39678477.html#idc-container
Thanks to anchorman Steve Dunn, executive producer Tracey Lam, and their team for telling our story in words and pictures so beautifully and even better than we can!
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