Virginia Mason’s employees know our mission includes a commitment to support our community in every way we can. That helps explain why in August more than 700 members of our team jumped at the chance to participate in Virginia Mason’s 2018 employee giving campaign, after raising more than $166,000 to support our work and the United Way. The campaign invites employees to have donations automatically withheld from their paychecks or by one-time gifts.
“I’m constantly impressed by our team’s generosity and eagerness to support the people we serve,” says Katerie Chapman, Virginia Mason’s senior vice president and hospital administrator. “Every year, they dig a little deeper and give a little more.”
While our employee giving campaign is more than a decade old, it originally focused on raising funds for the United Way. We expanded the menu of giving options in 2015 so employees could also support programs within Virginia Mason, like the Bailey-Boushay House (BBH), the Sweet Charity Fund and Benaroya Research Institute.
Employees donated nearly $500,000 over the last four years. And this year, we added a new “Fund Your Passion” option that helps employees support anything from cancer research to primary care.
One reason behind our employees’ generosity is that they know their dollars make a difference for patients and families we serve. For instance, employees used this year’s campaign to donate more than $60,000 to BBH, which delivers vital care to people with HIV and other life-threatening illnesses.
“Many BBH clients have nowhere to turn for health care, housing or a hot meal,” says Meeko Garcia, a Virginia Mason employee and avid BBH supporter. “Our donations help them reach more people and provide even better care.”
The number of people participating in our employee giving campaign has more than tripled since 2015. And our employees’ commitment to philanthropy doesn’t stop at financial donations: They also volunteer hundreds of hours a year to help at fundraising events.
“I’m incredibly proud that our employees feel so invested in our work that they give their own time – and money – to support it,” Katerie says. “But the more important thing is that their effort and donations are making a huge impact in the lives of our patients and families, and in our community.”
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