MERIDIAN HEALTH AND SAMARITAS PARTNER TO PROVIDE CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
Date: 12/16/24
Pants, sweatshirts, underwear, socks, and toys will be distributed by Samaritas locations in Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids
Meridian Health and Samaritas have partnered to bring holiday cheer to children currently in foster care in Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. This holiday season, Meridian was pleased to fulfill 50 individual wish lists for the children, and Meridian employees enjoyed shopping sprees to purchase an outfit for each child such as pants, sweatshirts, underwear, socks, hats, gloves and toys. In total this year, Meridian has donated $20,000 to Samaritas, a nonprofit health and human services agency with multiple locations throughout Michigan whose clients include children in its foster care, refugee foster care, and residential communities. Of that amount, $10,000 will be available to purchase gifts for children who come into care after the wish list cutoff date, a big need this time of year.
"Meridian is excited to participate in the Samaritas Christmas Wish program this year. Providing children currently in foster care in Michigan the exact gift on their wish list will not only light up their holidays but provide hope and let them know they are not alone,” said Patty Graham, Plan President & CEO of Meridian.
“At Samaritas, we believe the children in our foster care, refugee foster care, and residential communities deserve a happy holiday like any other kid, even when their guardians are having trouble making ends meet,” said Rachel Sykes, Vice President of Samaritas Family Services. “We’re so grateful for corporations like Meridian and the individual donors who show up each year to put smiles on the faces of our smallest clients.”
Meridian employees dropped off the gift bags from Dec. 2-6 at multiple Samaritas locations across Michigan. Samaritas will make sure the children receive their gifts in time for Christmas. In addition, Meridian employees can make a direct donation to Samaritas through Dec. 31 and receive a 100% matching donation from the Centene Foundation. To further deepen their partnership, Meridian and Samaritas are discussing volunteer opportunities at Samaritas affordable living senior centers in Michigan.
More than 10,000 foster youth in Michigan need temporary homes where they can feel safe, secure and loved. Samaritas, which was founded over 90 years ago, focuses its work in four core areas of impact: Housing for all, providing Child and Family Services to Michigan families including foster care, family preservation and adoption, welcoming New Americans with the support they need, and helping people connect with mental health and addiction resources.locations in Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids