Being There When IT Counts the Most
By: Rosa Winfrey, Director of Compassionate Touch, Inc.
I read a quote the other day written by Daniel Goleman which stated, “True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain, but also being moved to help relieve it.” What a profound statement and befitting of the times we are experiencing now. But it also brings to mind the devoted work across the nation that many are doing to help relieve the pain of others though various acts of compassion shown to others. I’m mindful of the countless frontline and essential workers throughout our hospitals and other various medical facilities, as well as grocery and department stores, and postal workers, just to name a few. Of course, also deserving accolades are the numerous dedicated organizations across the country who are helping to feed and address other pertinent necessities.
Compassionate Touch, Inc continued throughout the year of 2020 to address and fund over $520,000 towards the urgent needs through partnering hospital social work departments. We were able to provide such funding as parking/travel, lodging, food/meals and other living expenses for 1,592 hospital patients and families who struggled to make ends meet while dealing with serious illnesses.
Last year in honor of our partnering essential hospital social workers in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and Central Texas, we distributed 573 appreciation gifts consisting of Tiff’s Treats or Goodie lunch bags for the frontline services they provide as our partners in compassion. A heartfelt acknowledgement received from a social worker stated:
“I am so grateful Compassionate Touch is doing this, because no one else has thought about hospital social workers. God bless you all for thinking of us. It really means a lot.”
Several photos of the appreciation gifts presented to hospital social workers are shown below:
Houston Methodist Hospital – Houston
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center
Children’s Medical Center -Dallas
Cook Children’s Medical Center- Ft Worth
We are thankful to our kindhearted donors who continue to extend compassion and help bring relief to others during difficult times when it counts the most.