Staff Contributions Lead to a Record-Breaking Employee Giving Campaign

VNSNY’s 2017 Employee Giving Campaign Raised Close to $64,000 from Several Hundred Donors

Thanks to the generosity and commitment of VNSNY’s clinicians and support staff, the 2017 Strength from Within Employee Giving Campaign was a resounding success, raising $63,791 for VNSNY programs that help our neighbors in need, the largest amount ever. All told, 319 employees made donations to VNSNY last year, which was also a new record, nearly doubling the previous year’s total. Of that group, over a hundred employees were first-time donors—another record. “It was wonderful that so many VNSNY staff members participated—including so many who gave to one of our Charitable Care and Community Benefits programs for the first time.” says Theodore “Ted” Traver, Direct Response Manager for VNSNY’s Development Department, who led the employee giving campaign.

This year’s effort was spearheaded by VNSNY’s Mission Champions—28 colleagues from across the organization who assisted by explaining to their teams how Strength from Within contributions support VNSNY’s vital safety net for vulnerable New Yorkers, and encouraging their co-workers to donate. For example, Mission Champion Tania Fairweather, an Interdisciplinary Care Team Manager with VNSNY Provider Services in Brooklyn, spurred contributions by reminding her colleagues of the campaign at monthly team meetings and during pod team conference calls, and also made herself available for one-on-one conversations.

VNSNY CHOICE staff also played a central role in this year’s campaign. A case in point is Eileen Cespuglio, Manager of the Assessment Unit for CHOICE MLTC, who orchestrated a fund-raising raffle of employee-fashioned gift baskets. All told, the sale of raffle tickets brought in more than $800.

“It’s not always easy to ask someone to contribute, but it’s a good feeling when someone is willing to donate in order to help a patient,” says Naseebah Khan, Manager of Business Development Operations for VNSNY, who was another one of this year’s Mission Champions. “I was very honored to be able to help in that process.”

“The growth we’ve seen from the 2017 Strength from Within campaign is a testament to the passion and pride that our employees have for VNSNY’s mission,” adds Development Officer Ayana Anderson–McCall, who partnered with the 2017 Mission Champions.

Another element that helps drive contributions is the option to direct employee gifts to a specific Charitable Care or Community Benefit program. In 2017, contributions to VNSNY Hospice, which support special initiatives and programs such as the Goodman Brown Residence and VNSNY’s hospice program for U.S. veterans, topped the list of designated programs, garnering over $14,000 in employee donations. That was followed by nearly $12,000 in General Support gifts—donations to support all of VNSNY’s Charitable Care and Community Benefit programs, in which case the funds go to whichever programs are most in need.

Other popular programs included Workforce Development, the Center for Home Care Policy and Research, VNSNY’s Maternity-Newborn-Pediatrics program for children with serious illnesses, the Bronx Fatherhood Program, which helps young fathers stay involved in their children’s lives, and VNSNY’s Children and Family Services.

“I want to take a moment to thank each and every VNSNY employee that contributed. We’re developing a culture of philanthropy both outside and within VNSNY,” notes Catherine Callaway, Vice President for Marketing and Development. “Giving and contributing to help our neighbors in need starts right here with our employees, and grows each year that the Strength from Within Campaign is held.”