The summer marks a special time in the Bethesda community, as staff, residents, families and volunteers come together for the annual “Hearts for Our Homes” campaign. This initiative raises crucial funds to support residents who have outlived their financial resources, ensuring they can continue to call Bethesda home.
This year, the campaign successfully raised more than $120,000.
The campaign began on May 1, and for the next two months Bethesda communities held a variety of events to raise funds, including happy hours, block parties, BBQs and silent auctions.
And it’s more than just resident involvement, as the staff get really involved, too. Those employees willing to donate 1% of their salary were awarded a day off with pay. Many employees also donated their time, figuratively and literally. The General Managers and Activity Directors planned events and created impressive silent auction baskets, and more than 232 hours of Earned Time Off were donated back to Bethesda so that the cash value of those hours could be redirected to the effort.
Linda Sanders, Bethesda’s Corporate VP and Director of Development, emphasizes that the event is about more than just fundraising.
“Hearts for Our Homes has become one of my favorite events,” says Linda. “It’s unique in that it provides an avenue for everybody who is part of the Bethesda family to come together to help our residents in whatever way they can.”
For more information on the Hearts for Our Homes campaign, please call 314-800-1916 or email celuna@bethesdahealth.org.
