When businesses and communities share goals for better health care, great things happen. The Foundation was delighted to welcome so many new members to our donor family in 2020. During a time like no other, the outpouring of support since the COVID-19 pandemic began has been remarkable. The Riverside Foundation received in-kind donations worth more than $250,000 and cash donations to our COVID-19 response efforts totaling more than $204,000.
In addition to expressions of gratitude from patients and loved ones, charitable gifts from corporations and local businesses play an important role in Riverside’s ability to sustain and improve health care in the communities we serve. Often there is common ground where an organization’s philanthropic goals intersect with areas that fuel Riverside’s work and mission. These shared objectives create opportunities for meaningful impact.
Lead partners Huntington Ingalls Industries and Newport News Shipbuilding, who use simulation modeling in their own businesses, recognized the importance of investing in education, training and technology in health care as routes to improve patient safety and health care competency. The Huntington Ingalls Education & Training Center at Riverside Regional Medical Center now houses a state-of-the-art simulation lab. Virtual reality tools enable clinicians to maintain and frequently update skills, enhance their dexterity with high-risk procedures, plan innovative solutions to complex medical care needs, and more quickly acquire new skills as techniques and equipment continually evolve. Other lead corporate donors included AON Risk Services Inc., ESa, GC Commercial, MEDNAX, Spain Commercial, TowneBank and W.M. Jordan Company.
Locally based Cox Communications and BayPort Credit Union are keenly aware of the value of having strong local health care. Their tremendous gifts totaling $100,000 to our COVID relief fund helped to advance Riverside’s preparedness efforts and allowed us to remain stocked with resources such as personal protective equipment and testing reagents and to expand telehealth capabilities to benefit our rural community members and lifelong health facility residents. Cox Communications explained their motivation for donating at a time when others were conserving financial resources: “We deeply appreciate the selfless efforts and sacrifices that our hospital partners and their staff are making to meet the health care needs of our community at this time,” said Margaret-Hunter Wade, director of public affairs at Cox.
Many organizations continued to provide vital funds in support of local cancer patients. Many more patients faced financial hardship during their care due to the pandemic and needed help to fulfill their treatment regimen. In addition, our dedicated caregivers were innovating to safely deliver life-saving treatments for our vulnerable patients, screenings for at-risk populations and community prevention education. Gifts from Epic Systems Corporation and Spain Commercial along with fundraising activities for World Cancer Day in February by Blarney Stone Pub, Mallard’s at the Wharf, Tradition Brewing, Hayashi Sushi & Grill, Paul’s Deli New Town, and Olivia’s in the Village, all helped fuel this important work.
The generosity of our corporate partners through charitable gifts, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions aid our doctors, nurses and facilities in meeting the needs of every patient who turns to us for care and healing. We are grateful for the support.
Businesses that are interested in a future partnership with Riverside can experience firsthand the joy of making great things happen. We would be honored to help you achieve your charitable goals while elevating the care Riverside provides right here at home. Please contact us for more information. Phone (757) 234-8740 or email [email protected]
In May of 2020, community businesses large and small enthusiastically partnered with us to show their support for Riverside caregivers and team members. Their gratitude for the dedication of our frontline providers was expressed through donations that in turn provided team member meals from local restaurants and food trucks.
Our special thanks to these Health Care Heroes sponsors:
Abbitt Realty; AP Graphics; BayPort Credit Union; CA Barrs Contractor, Inc.; CST Mechanical; Damuth Trane; David, Kamp & Frank, LLC; Epling’s Pest Control; Essex Bank; Get Cheesy Food Truck; KBP Foods; Not Another Pancake House; Patty Heath State Farm Insurance; Phillips Energy; Riverland Insurers; Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; Sonabank; TowneBank; Williamsburg Virginia Natural Gas; Warwick Mechanical Group; Weymouth Funeral Home
