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10 Jan

CareFirst Gives a Family Hope for the Holidays

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The information and referral (I & R) specialists who answer calls for help every day in our 2-1-1 call center tend to receive especially heart-wrenching calls around the holidays. People desperate to feed their families a Thanksgiving meal, people with nowhere to go, people who can't bear the thought of their children waking up to find no presents on Christmas morning. One such call in early December really struck I & R specialist Kate Schulz. The woman on the phone was caring for her husband, who was suffering from Stage IV cancer, while also trying to raise their three young children. With growing medical bills, there was no money left to buy gifts for Christmas.

The good news is that we live in a community of people who care about each other. When Kate mentioned this family's story to a few folks here at United Way, a connection was instantly made to CareFirst, where Theresa McBride led her department in adopting the family for the holidays. The CareFirst Public Policy and Community Affairs team donated a plethora of thoughtful gifts, which Theresa delivered to the family's home on December 20. She visited again on Christmas Eve with a complete meal from Whole Foods. Upon her entry into the home, the family's youngest daughter looked up at her holding the food and said "I like you!". Gail Groft, UWCM's payroll administrator, also wanted to help make the family's holidays a little brighter and gave the mother a much-needed gift of pampering.

The family was overwhelmed by the kindness of these strangers, and truly enjoyed a special holiday together. Acts of compassion and care really are what the holidays are all about.

Last modified on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 14:14
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United Way of Central Maryland

100 South Charles St., 5th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

410-547-8000

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