“Every year our employees choose local organizations that they want to support with the monies they’ve put into our ‘Denim Fund’ throughout the year,” said Jeanne McLaughlin, President and CEO of the VNAVNH.
“We maintain a professional dress code, since most of our staff are guests in people’s homes throughout the day as they deliver home health and hospice care,” McLaughlin explained. “But every other Friday, they can wear jeans in exchange for a $1 contribution to the Denim Fund. Some put in a little extra.”
In 2013, VNAVNH employees collected a total of $1,000 and decided to divide their funds into two gifts – one each for organizations helping families in the north and south regions of the VNAVNH’s 4,000-square-mile service area. This week, VNAVNH staff presented checks for $500 to the Upper Valley Haven, White River Junction, VT, and Our Place, Bellows Falls, VT.
“We were so pleased they thought of us,” said Sara Kobylenski, Executive Director of The Haven, a non-profit organization providing shelter, food, and other community services for individuals and families in need in the Upper Valley area. “It’s great that these people who help others all through the year with their services want to do even more. They know how much need there is in our communities, and this contribution is a lovely expression of their consistent desire to help.”
Brandi Singelais, RN, a VNAVNH Nurse Case Manager, was on hand to present the check to Kobylenski. “The people I see often need even more than the care I’m providing,” said Singelais. “Alot of them need food and other types of assistance. We try to connect them with resources, and I know that one of the places they turn to is The Haven. So this just makes sense.”
