The McLaren Greater Lansing Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) is actively reshaping the landscape of local health care. This group of remarkable women is making a tangible difference through their collective giving, compassion, and dedication.
The WGC is an impactful initiative facilitated through the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation. It stands as a powerful testament to the strength of unity, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible community health care for the Lansing region.
Quarterly throughout the year, WGC members gather for various meetings that go beyond traditional philanthropy. These events serve as a dynamic platform for inspiration, education, and social connection, fostering a unique blend of purpose and camaraderie among donors. The final meeting of the year is a voting meeting where members come together and hear from leaders in the hospital on projects they are hoping to receive support for.
“This is one of my favorite nights of the year,” said Lynn Griffor, VP of the Foundation at McLaren Greater Lansing. “I am always overwhelmed by the generosity and the commitment of our community to make McLaren the best hospital to receive care.”
This year, two members offered gifts to fully fund three of the smaller grant requests:
- Cancer Survivorship Celebrations ($2,000) – This program provides ongoing support to women who have completed cancer treatment and includes quarterly “Cancer Survivor Parties.” This gives the women the opportunity to meet other cancer survivors, discuss issues related to survivorship, and learn about the complementary/integrative therapies offered in the community through guest speakers and demonstrations.
- Emergency Department (ED) Clothing Fund ($1,500) – The McLaren Emergency Department staff have noticed many patients come into the ED without the proper clothing to wear in cold weather. This grant will be used to keep people warm – providing hats, gloves, winter coats, boots, snowpants, thick socks, sweatpants, sweatshirts, blankets, hand warmers, and feet warmers to pass out to ED patients as needed.
- Mobile Clinic Personal Care Items ($4,500) – There is a great need for personal care and clothing items for the homeless population served by the McLaren Mobile Clinic. Patients need hygiene and toiletry items, undergarments, blankets, etc. The impact will have the potential to reach all patients who visit the clinic, including veterans, men, women, and children/families.
“We had six projects tonight, three fully funded and three partially funded,” said Griffor. “We had a $35,000 budget going into the night from the dues our members pay, but thanks to the generosity of the women in this committee, we received more than $45,000 in support of hospital projects.”
The remaining three grants were $11,500 for each of the projects. In addition, three members offered gifts, totaling $2,500, to bolster this funding.
- Social Work Stipend – Funding support for food/transportation stipend for social work students, who can provide direct clinical interventions to greatly support our medical providers’ efforts to assist with not only care management, but also bolstering motivation and behavioral interventions with patients.
- AccuVein Devices – IV therapy is one of the most common and essential procedures performed in hospitals. However, many patients present with difficult venous access, often resulting in multiple insertion attempts, delays in care, and increased patient discomfort. Vein-finding devices will significantly improve venous access success rates.
- Music Therapy Program – Support for the music program at McLaren, which includes two part-time musicians who play instruments – flute, guitar, cello, etc., in various parts of the hospital and patient floors, and Karmanos Cancer Institute, to provide a comforting, soothing environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
McLaren Greater Lansing expresses their deepest gratitude for the Women’s Giving Circle and their generous donations to support these important projects.
If you would like to donate to the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation, click here.
For more information about WGC or to view our member list or join us, visit www.mclarenloveslansing.org/wgc.