MGH Institute of Health Professions Helps Out During the Holidays

Students in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2019 were among those at the MGH Institute who helped out during the holidays. Front Row: Maryam Awan, Savannah Marcelino, Maria Vardaro, Christina Hacking, Courtney Brown, Catherine Dam, Nicole Mason, Jackson Lindsay, Selina Batchanoo. Back Row: Ilaria Mastroserio, Kelly Wisniewski, Shannon Swenson, Zoe Warren, Sean Doherty. Not Pictured: Brittany Palaski, Stephen Gunning, Amy Hood Shultz, Rachid Chakri, Theresa Vela, Anh Phung, Ashley Anderson.

MGH Institute of Health Professions supported several charities in Charlestown, as well as in Greater Boston and beyond, during the 2017 holiday season. The organizations supported were:

• The Welcome Home Initiative, Constitution Inn YMCA, Charlestown Navy Yard. Faculty and staff raised over $2,800 to support the initiative, which includes collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services and the US Veterans Administration. The initiative provides a free, full-year membership at any YMCA of Greater Boston branch to veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan since 9/11/01 and who have service-related injuries.
• The Harvard-Kent Elementary School, Charlestown. Faculty and staff donated more than 200 new toys and books during its annual holiday party.
• Harvest on Vine Food Pantry, Charlestown. More than 300 items of non-perishable food items were donated to the non-profit housed at Saint Mary-Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, which serves Charlestown residents regardless of race, religion, or way of life.
• Charlestown Chamber of Commerce. The Institute sponsored holiday wreaths displayed on street poles lights along Main Street and Bunker Hill Street in Charlestown.
• Ronald McDonald House, Charlestown; Cradles to Crayons, Boston; Transitions of Boston; More Than Words, Boston. More than 280 books were collected and distributed to several sites that participate each year in the MGH Institute’s Community IMPACT Day.
• Community Servings, Boston. The Institute community raised $845 through the non-profit’s Pie in the Sky bake sale. Ninety percent of the proceeds go to help feed critically ill and homebound residents in Eastern Massachusetts.
• The Home for Little Wanderers, Boston. Dozens of new toys from the Institute's annual Angel Tree Drive were donated and sent to the non-profit organization which helps more than 7,000 individuals each year.
• Salvation Army, Dorchester and Lowell. Students in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program supported 25 families—including a family of Dreamers—by donating and collecting more than 100 gifts and several hundred dollars.
• Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Boston. For the 25th consecutive year, employees volunteered to work at a gift-wrapping booth at the CambridgeSide Galleria to support the coalition's A Bed for Every Child initiative.
• Boston Crossroads Family Center, East Boston. Students helped fight hunger at the Annual Turkey Distribution Day, which provided more than 100+ whole turkeys and all the fixings to neighborhood residents.
• Salvation Army, Dorchester and Lowell. Students in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2019 supported 25 families—including a family of Dreamers—by donating and collecting more than 100 gifts and several hundred dollars.
• Movember Foundation, California. Doctor of Physical Therapy male students grew moustaches and collected close to $1,000 to raise awareness of men's cancer research and mental health during the annual Movember initiative.
• A Million Thanks, California. Students, faculty, and staff wrote holiday cards that were sent to troops serving both abroad and at home, as well as those who have been injured and are in hospitals.

“The generosity displayed by our students, staff, and faculty is truly outstanding,” said MGH Institute President Paula Milone-Nuzzo. “I am so proud of their efforts that represent the many ways the MGH Institute supports those in need in Charlestown and throughout Greater Boston.”