The Little Blessings Foundation recently delivered baby supplies to L+M Hospital for patients and families in need. From left are Laura Cotto, clinical supervisor for Nurturing Families; Cynthia Tucker, MD, Emergency Department; Little Blessings’ president Olivia Gionet, vice president Anna Kate O’Donnell and secretary Sarah O’Donnell; and Mary Anne Stchur, executive director of Development for L+M and Westerly hospitals.
For the second time in as many months, a group of St. Bernard School students drove up to the main entrance of L+M Hospital to unload a car full of diapers, wipes and safety kits to help needy patients and families. By all accounts, it won’t be the last.
That’s because the three high school students involved, Olivia Gionet, Anna Kate O’Donnell and Sarah O’Donnell, have turned their school community service project into something much bigger – a new not-for-profit foundation.
Little Blessings decided to partner with L+M’s Nurturing Families program because it supports families in need, including single moms and families struggling with social and economic hardships, said Gionet, foundation president.
“I didn’t expect this to become a whole foundation, but I’ve really grown to love organizing all of it,” Gionet said. “To see the positive impact it’s having is so rewarding.”
The Nurturing Families team of clinical social workers is well positioned to distribute the donated items, according to Laura Cotto, clinical supervisor. “If a nurse in Labor and Delivery or the Emergency Department needs something for a patient or family, they can reach out to us, because we’ll make sure these supplies get to those who need them most,” Cotto said.
The need is great, noted Cynthia Tucker, MD, an emergency physician at L+M who has joined the Little Blessings board of directors. “I see it on a regular basis. It’s really challenging for some families to get basic supplies, and Little Blessings is a huge help,” she said. “I think this is just the beginning for Little Blessings. Olivia and her team have a lot of creative ideas to continue to support the community.”
Mary Anne Stchur, executive director of Development for L+M and Westerly hospitals, noted that L+M, as part of Yale New Haven Health, is also a not-for-profit organization, so community donations make a huge difference.
“Through philanthropy and community donations, we can do so much more for the families in our care,” Stchur said. “Everything Olivia and her foundation are donating helps to enhance our offerings. I am also so inspired to see the younger generation in the community reaching out to partner with the hospital. I think Olivia and her friends are going to continue to grow this to the next level in the community.”
At the heart of it all, Gionet said she and the O’Donnell sisters really want to make a difference in the lives of mothers and children. “That’s why our tagline is ‘Every child a blessing, every mother supported.’” Gionet said. “We want to make sure every child grows up with a stronger start than they would have if they didn’t have the assistance and encouragement. We also want to make sure the mothers and parents are feeling supported and loved by their community.”
