Published: April 27, 2020
LANSING, MI – The Sparrow Foundation’s Women Working Wonders (W3) has made an extraordinary donation of $500,000 to assist Sparrow caregivers and aid Sparrow in its response to COVID-19.
The donation is comprised of two parts and was made possible through the generosity of the community through W3 events, such as Dapper Dads, Art a la Carte, and Hats in the Garden:
- $300,000 to the Challenge Response Fund, supporting ongoing efforts in the face of COVID-19. Of that total, $75,000 will be earmarked specifically for the Code Lavender project, which creates a dedicated space at Sparrow Hospital for caregivers to seek respite and relaxation from the stresses of their work.
- $200,000 to Care for the Caregivers, which supports Sparrow caregivers in need during times of crisis. Be it their own illness, that of a family member, a car accident, fire or a scenario involving COVID-19, financial assistance can be provided upon request to Sparrow caregivers.
“As a community-owned health system, Sparrow benefits from a depth of commitment from our ‘owners,’ like W3,” said James F. Dover, President and CEO of Sparrow Health System. “W3’s dedication to our caregivers is inspiring. Our caregivers are essential to us getting through this pandemic, and W3 helping make sure they are taken care of is an exceptional act of kindness for both the caregivers and their families.”
Founded in 2002 by Lansing entrepreneur Virginia Hilbert,the W3 Committee works tirelesslyto support the physical and psychological health of women inmid-Michigan. The committee comprises more than 35 professional womenfrom the Greater Lansing area.
“Since we first formed in 2002, the Sparrow Foundation Women Working Wonders Committee has raised more than $4 million toward its mission to improve women’s health in our region,” said Martha Jakubiak, Chair of W3. “In this extraordinary time, however, we can think of no better way to help serve the community that has so enthusiastically supported us through our fundraisers over the years, including our annual ‘Dapper Dads Challenge,’ than by donating a significant portion of these funds to help reduce any undue financial burdens faced now by our Sparrow caregivers. We are in absolute awe of their steadfast service and dedication to the well-being of their patients.
Please visit SparrowFoundation.org to learn more about how you can help and to make a financial contribution to help defray the costs of the response effort and caring for our community.
For information on dropping off items or for any questions, contact the Foundation at 517.253.6144.
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Sparrow, a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network, is mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization that includes hospitals in Lansing, Charlotte, St. Johns, Ionia and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.