The organizers of the STH Cares Benevolence Committee say they are overwhelmed by the support for the new organization to provide short term help to those leaving the hospital without proper resources.
The group held its first big fund raiser, a Vendor Fair, at the Marion County Fairgrounds on Friday.
The event is the vision of Tanya Allison who received permission to form the voluntary effort by hospital employees. She says there was no way to handle the need in the past.
“Always were paying out of their own pocket. This fund takes care of that. We are taking care of our patients who just need a little something in the moment. It’s not long term, its for just right now when they need it.”
One of the case coordinators at the hospital Gloria Hawkins has helped spearhead the organization. She is thankful how everyone has come to their assistance to what has become an issue almost every day.
“Wonderful. This fair has been overwhelming. The support from the hospital staff and people outside the hospital, the businesses in this community have just floored me. My heart is like melted butter, I can’t get over it.”
Hawkins says the business community opened their hearts with donations once they saw the need and vendors showed up with no idea if the Friday event would draw a crowd, which it did during the entire six hours.
Case coordinator Shelley Rose says once the short term needs are met, the hospital’s case coordinators can go to work on long-term solutions.
“For a lot it’s really just Lori and I being able to work with the patient, getting some information, showing what resources are there. And some if it is just getting the resources setup and implemented. A lot of resources are available in our community and just so often people aren’t aware or know how to connect and that is what we are there for.”
Rose says she also didn’t know what to expect and is overwhelmed and excited.
The group originally did not think they would need to become a 501c non-profit organization, but with the outpouring of help they feel they could now go over the $5,000 threshold to need the designation and perhaps draw more donations.

Some of the vendors set up in the Marion County Fair Exhibit Building for the STH Vendor Fair. Photo by Bruce Kropp.

Three tables were set up with raffle and silent auction items at the STH Vendor Fair. Photo by Bruce Kropp.