Valley Health Employees: United in Caring

Valley Health employees from Berkeley, Hampshire and Morgan counties in WV to Luray and Page County, VA in the south -- and everywhere in between – are “united in caring” for their communities! This generous group exceeded their 2018 fundraising goal ($120,000) for local United Way organizations across the region by raising over $140,000. Members of the Valley Health team held numerous fundraisers, and made gifts and pledges from tens to thousands of dollars, knowing that their gifts, like the healthcare services they provide, change the lives of their friends and neighbors.

“Our success is due to the generosity of employees who demonstrated warmth, compassion and giving to those less fortunate,” noted Elizabeth Savage, SVP/CHRO, VP of Community Health & Wellness, and this year’s VHS campaign co-chair. “I am proud to work among them at Valley Health and live beside them within our communities.”

Almost $115,000 was raised through employee gifts and pledges, and another $25,000+ was raised with fundraising events. Basket auctions and chili cook-offs are always popular, and this year, Valley Medical Transport (VMT) raised thousands through the sale of pink breast cancer awareness t-shirts that were worn by hundreds in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October.

Members of Valley Medical Transport (VMT) proudly sport their breast cancer awareness t-shirts.

Of course, the best part of the campaign is the far-reaching impact of employee gifts. Four regional United Way organizations, representing Valley Health’s broad geographic footprint, were supported with donations from staff: County United Way (WV and western MD panhandle), United Way of the Eastern Panhandle (WV), United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley (VA) and United Way of Front Royal/Warren County (VA).

On February 21, Valley Health was recognized for Distinguished Campaign Achievement at the 73rd Annual United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley (NSV) meeting and recognition dinner. Wilborn Roberson, 2018 Campaign Chair for the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, recently praised Valley Health’s longtime commitment to the organization, saying “Valley Health and the United Way have a long-standing partnership, with both organizations working together to support the communities in which we serve, and the United Way is so appreciative of the commitment from Valley Health and its employees.”

He continued, “Examples of this commitment include: volunteering through leadership to the Board and committees, the Day of Caring, sponsoring an annual Employee Campaign and working with our many partner agencies to provide much needed services to residents. During this most recent year, the Valley Health Campaign raised over $100,000 in employee gifts and this raised their all-time giving to the Campaign to over $1,000,000! Each associate should be filled with pride - well done and thank you for all that you do to support the United Way and the community.”

Employees hard at work completing United Way Day of Caring projects.

“Reaching a million dollars in contributions to United Way is a remarkable accomplishment that should make all Valley Health employees very proud,” stated Mark H. Merrill, Valley Health President and CEO. “It shows that every gift matters, because when we all pitch in, the impact is greatly multiplied.”

In addition to supporting local United Way organizations, many Valley Health employees also give to Valley Health hospital foundations and development funds, further supporting healthcare needs in the community. “Saying that our employees are ‘givers’ doesn’t really do them justice,” continued Merrill. “Staff from across Valley Health System come to work each day and give every patient the best of their talents and expertise… then they further show their commitment to our community through their personal financial contributions. They are truly exceptional!”