Tough Economic Times doesn’t Hinder Gottlieb and Loyola’s Generosity

MAYWOOD, Ill. – Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect on what is good and the abundance that we have been given. However, in many households around the country the holiday is tainted as the economic crisis is causing the size of Tom Turkey to shrink and the abundance begins to dwindle. Job layoffs, wrecked retirement funds and talk of a lengthy recession have left people counting every penny and Loyola University Health System (LUHS) is not immune. Despite the gloomy financial forecast the LUHS staff is bringing a ray of sunshine by doing what they do best – giving.

Known for its compassionate care, each year LUHS staff takes giving beyond the hospital walls by collecting food items, decorations and money to create Thanksgiving baskets for families in the Chicagol area. Last year, staff gave 340 families a little more to be thankful for by providing them with Thanksgiving dinner.

“The geography of where our baskets go is phenomenal,” said Sister Brenda Eagan, director of medical school ministry at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. “It is representative of the people that work here which reaches all corners of the city.”
Seemingly every department gets involved in the giving from housekeeping to senior administration.

“Giving is at the very core of who we are here at Loyola,” said Dr. Paul K. Whelton, president and CEO of Loyola University Health System. “We give of our time and talents day in and day out to go beyond the illness and treat the whole person. This is just one more way we’re able to care for those in need, following our mission to serve the families in our community.”

This year, many families within Loyola are hurting as well so baskets were made available to staff members in need.

“The consequences of these tough economic times have affected us all. Our desire is to help those in need in our family as well as those in our community,” said Marie Coglianese, director of pastoral care and education at Loyola. “Though our staff may be hurting [financially] too they know there are people who are worse off and are thankful they can do something to help.”

Much of the effort is driven by the Strich School of Medicine student body. Students get the word out, help collect baskets and even deliver them to homes across the Chicagoland.

“This is just another way the Loyola values are embodied in this community. We don’t just talk about it we do something,” said Eagan.

Loyola will hold a Thanksgiving service at the hospital’s Paul V. Galvin Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 25th at noon. A blessing will be said over a portion of the baskets and representatives from the Maywood community will receive them. According to Eagan the generosity is so great that there wouldn’t be room enough in the chapel for all the baskets.

“This is a time when we can pause together and give thanks to our Creator for His many blessings,” said Coglianese. “We bless those who have given the baskets and those who will receive them and pray that God will multiply our gifts.”

With the recent acquisition of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, the newest members of the Loyola family are getting involved as well. Loyola University Health System at Gottlieb staff donated a truck load of food to the Proviso Food Pantry in Melrose Park, Ill.

“We are united in our commitment to supporting and improving the health of those in our community,” said John Morgan, president, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. “Gottlieb has conducted food drives to benefit the Proviso Food Pantry for many years. Our staff and fitness center members are extremely generous when it comes to helping those in need.”