McLaren Central Michigan’s Free Clinic patients were beneficiaries of nearly 300 winter clothing items donated by hospital staff, volunteers, patients and community members. The “Season of Warmth” winter clothing drive was begun by Tonya Crippen, RN, a patient care supervisor at McLaren Central Michigan.
“I started out having two desires—to give something back to the community in which I work, and to be supportive of the Free Clinic,” Crippen said. “I had no idea the project would be so successful, or that so many people’s lives would be affected, both by giving and receiving.”
Items collected included hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, socks and long underwear.
“Michigan winters can be harsh, making the holiday season cold and miserable for those in need, but I thought with a little help from the McLaren Central Michigan family, it could turn into a ‘season of warmth’,” Crippen said.
Nancy King, RN, Free Clinic manager, assisted in the clothing drive, and in distributing the items to Free Clinic patients.
“The patients were so pleased to have the opportunity to select from the beautiful donated items,” she said. “They expressed very heartfelt appreciation and awe at the generosity of those who contributed.”
Crippen hopes to make the clothing drive an annual event, if the need continues.
McLaren Central Michigan wishes to thank all of those who participated in making this project a success.
The McLaren Central Michigan Free Clinic provides no-cost primary care to low-income, uninsured residents of Isabella County, and is open every Thursday evening at 5 p.m. at the Central Michigan District Health Department, 2012 E. Preston in Mt. Pleasant. For more information, call (989) 953-5333. If you would like to donate to the Free Clinic, contact Cindy Hales, McLaren Central Michigan Vice President of Resource Development at (989) 772-6826.