Published: Dec. 12, 2012
Sparrow Emergency Department Caregivers are sending a bunch of holiday cheer to more than 40 Marines stationed in Afghanistan.
A care package drive was started by Mandie Miller, a nurse in the Emergency Department whose nephew is stationed in Afghanistan. She heard he was giving away his gifts from home to fellow Marines who weren't receiving care packages and were having a hard time during their deployments. Miller decided to try to help.
"I work with a fantastic group of people, and I knew that if he gave me a list of Marines, they'd all be taken care of - more than I even planned," said Miller.
Emergency Department staff and their families pitched in to send 43 packages filled with toiletries, candy, snacks, baked goods and thank you cards to the Marines, said Miller. So many Caregivers offered to help that Miller had to ask her nephew for more names after his initial list.
"The ER is a group of amazing people," said Miller. "They are really caring and giving."
The Sparrow Hospital Emergency Department is one of the state's most advanced. Sparrow is the region's leader in emergency and trauma care, caring for more than 100,000 patients a year. It is home to the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and a 24/7 pediatric emergency department. For more information on Sparrow's emergency services, visit sparrow.org/EmergencyServices.