"Bah Humbug” They Exclaimed…Not at Pima Health System!

by Lisa-Kay Caswell,
ECAP Steering Committee Secretary and PHS Employee

Pima Health System employees banded together throughout the holiday season not just to bring joy and cheer to all, but also food, diapers and toys. Led by their ECAP co-coordinators Josh Devor and Pam Johnson, employees raised more than $600 in cash and more than 500 pounds of non-perishable food items and diapers that were donated to the Tucson Community Food Bank between September and the end of December.

Josh and Pam organized a fundraiser in October to raise money for the food bank. They sold popcorn, Subway cookies and EEGEES drinks and also held a silent auction of items that Josh solicited from local businesses. In addition to Subway and EEGEES, donations came from Chili's, On the Border, Boston Market, Sweet Tomatoes, Casa del Rio, Macaroni Grill, the Fountain Center, Pottery Blow Out, Red Lobster and Supercuts. Employees brought in other new or gently used items that were added to the auction. All of the funds were directed through ECAP as a direct donation to the food bank.

Employees also worked hard to gather toys for the Marine’s Toys for Tots program. Boxes were placed throughout PHS for employees to donate toys, bikes, books, movies and games. The toys were delivered to our neighborhood Fire Station #10 on Ajo and Park. Jo Ann Siemsen, Business Continuity Planning Coordinator, said “it was a very happy moment to see the reaction of the fire fighters when they saw a truck full of bikes and the PHS Blazer filled with two big boxes of toys and more bikes! They were amazed with everyone’s generosity and shared an enthusiastic thank you!”

PHS employees joined many other county workers to donate gifts for the residents of the Posada del Sol nursing facility. This is an annual tradition where residents create a small personal wish list of very practical items. This giving tradition is a small gesture of love and kindness that brings big smiles to the residents, many of which have no family and would otherwise have no presents under the tree.

Pima Health System’s mission is “To improve the quality of life for the community and the people we serve through an integrated system of health and social services.” PHS employees take this motto very seriously and feel it is important to give to our community and to help those who are struggling in this challenging economy.

Patricia Alvarez Hurley, PHS Director, said, “I am very proud of the efforts and generosity of the staff at Pima Health System. The ECAP, silent auction, raffles, food bank donations, Posada del Sol and the Toys for Tots efforts are all appreciated. All of these donations are voluntary and given the continued economic crisis, it is heartwarming to reflect on how giving many of you are and that you recognize the less fortunate. There were a total of 13 new bicycles in various sizes and boxes full of toys. I want to thank Josh Devor and Pam Johnson, who were generous with their personal time and pocketbooks in making these events successful. Their sincere dedication is outstanding.”

For information about ECAP, visit the ECAP website.