Hospital Volunteer and Former Employee Brings HOPE to Cuba
Winchester, Ma. – Winchester Hospital volunteer and former employee Nancy Kilker of Winchester recently traveled to Cuba, where she assisted in delivering $500 in medical supplies donated by Winchester Hospital.
The trip was a government-sanctioned, humanitarian mission sponsored by Bringing HOPE Foundation, Inc. The 14-member team delivered the supplies to rural schools and the Sisters of Charity, a division of Catholic Charities which operates community-based outreach centers, retirement homes and special needs facilities throughout Cuba.
Prior to the trip, Kilker shipped 50 pounds of supplies to Bringing Hope. She and her husband, Wayne, additionally carried 30 pounds each in their luggage of over-the-counter medicines and vitamins, first aid and cold supplies, and items such as toothpaste, hand soap, dish soap and laundry detergent which the Cuban government recently cut from its rations. As a result, according to Kilker, these items are only available at inflated prices in stores or on the black market.
“People wanted to trade us handicrafts for soap,” recalled Kilker, who freely distributed the bars of soap she didn’t use at her hotel. The Kilkers also brought baseballs, school supplies and candy for children.
“They’re very proud people who don’t want handouts,” she said, “but they have to survive.”
Kilker, who formerly worked in Winchester Hospital’s Community Health Institute, has volunteered in the Emergency Department since moving to Winchester in 1993. She said she has long wanted to travel to Cuba, and this was the first of hopefully multiple visits.
While traveling through the cities of Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad, Kilker said she was struck by the poor condition of the country’s infrastructure. Perhaps due to the black mold that is visible on the interior and exterior of so many buildings, a large number of residents suffer from asthma and allergies.
“When the nun from Sisters of Charity saw all the vitamins we brought, particularly the children’s vitamins, she almost cried,” Kilker recalled. “She said, ‘Thank you, thank you,’ and asked us to send her prayers to Winchester Hospital. She was just overwhelmed.”
Part of the mission of the Bringing HOPE Foundation is to interact with Cuban citizens to bridge the cultural, social and political gap between the two peoples. Kilker emphasized that everyone she met was friendly and open. Many asked her to relay a special message.
“They said, ‘Tell the American people we love them,’” she said.
Teen Donates Hundreds of Books and Magazines to Hospital
Winchester, Ma. – When 12-year-old Olivia Michaud of Wakefield began planning for her bat mitzvah last May, she instantly knew which organization she wanted her community service efforts to benefit: Winchester Hospital, her family’s long-time hospital.
Over the summer, Olivia created and distributed a flier publicizing her book and magazine drive to family members, friends and neighbors. She painted drop-off boxes and signs for three locations: her home, her father’s office in Burlington and her grandmother’s home in Lynnfield. When she mailed invitations for the Nov. 5 celebration, she asked guests to contribute to her collection efforts.
Olivia was joined by her parents Lori and Rick, sister Julia and brother Owen in delivering 300 magazines in five baskets made from recycled magazines, 130 new children’s books, 20 new adult books, four new crossword/Sudoku books and five new stuffed animals to Winchester Hospital. Additionally, Olivia plans to donate 40 used books to a local library.
According to Jillian Buttaro, manager of adult volunteers at Winchester Hospital, the donated books will be divided among the Pediatric Unit, Emergency Department and Day Surgery Unit. The magazines will be distributed in waiting rooms throughout the hospital. “Our patients and visitors will be so appreciative,” she said.
As the donations poured in, Olivia said they nearly overtook her garage. “I want kids and adult patients to know someone is doing something for them,” said Olivia, a seventh grader at Galvin Middle School in Wakefield. “I want them to feel good when they are in the hospital.”
Lori Michaud noted that Olivia used her own money to purchase the stuffed animals and several books. “As a mother, it was so wonderful to see Olivia learn this lesson in doing good for other people,” she added. “We’re fortunate that we haven’t had to utilize Winchester Hospital too often, but we’ve had a great experience every time we’ve come. This was a wonderful chance to give back.”
Rather than making this is a one-time event, Olivia said she intends to donate books purchased with her own money to Winchester Hospital each fall until she graduates from high school.
“If you do it once, you just help once,” she said. “I want to keep helping.”
Where Are Those Winchester Hospital Babies Now?
Winchester, Ma. – Winchester Hospital has been delivering babies for 100 years. As part of our centennial celebration, we are searching for those people born at Winchester Hospital who are willing to share their story.
Is there an obstacle in life you’ve overcome? Are you or a family member possibly the oldest living person born at Winchester Hospital? Have you accomplished something interesting during your lifetime? What are you doing now?
All “Winchester Hospital babies” are invited to join us in celebrating our history by sharing their story along with a personal photo. To obtain an entry form or for more information, please visit www.winchesterhospital.org or call Marylou Hardy in the Marketing Department at (781) 756-4796.
The first 100 people to enter will receive a commemorative t-shirt. All entries must be received by Dec. 16, 2011.
