When I joined Centra as part of the Centra Foundation, fundraising was familiar to me, but the responsibility of raising funds to support local health was completely new. Over the last four and a half years, I have had the immense pleasure of growing into a role that has really “stuck” for me–being what my colleagues often refer to as “the glue” of the team. My role within the Foundation involves a large amount of behind-the-scenes work and collaboration, where I take many pieces, big or microscopic, of different projects and blend everything together so that each individual initiative can shine on its own, but still works adhesively–I mean cohesively–with others.
While I am busy “gluing” these pieces together, I get to see how my own gift, combined with many others, is the glue that has the power to not only bond our health system together–but to help it go further in caring for patients. I carry out Centra’s mission of, “improving the health and quality of life for the communities we serve,” in my role and when I make my own annual gift through the Centra Foundation. By making a gift through the Centra Foundation, I help patients who need excellent care, regardless of ability to pay and support our greatest needs like the new emPATH unit, state-of-the-art technology, educational opportunities and so much more. My work–and my own gifts–help cement a strong foundation for the future.
Every single dollar makes a difference and every donor to the Centra Foundation matters for patients and our not-for-profit community health system which relies on fundraising. I’m just one person and my annual gift is an amount that works within my budget. I’m not single-handedly changing local healthcare and health, but when everyone gives what they can–when we can affix all our generosity together–it makes an immense difference for our health system and the communities we serve.
As we approach the season of giving thanks, I am especially thankful for my amazing Foundation colleagues, a workplace invested in improving the health of our communities and a meaningful job where I can thrive in my ability to “glue” the pieces together. If you are a donor to the Centra Foundation, thank you. If you want to start giving, please do! To learn more about the Centra Foundation and how your gifts support Centra’s mission, visit centrafoundation.com/your-impact