Lourdes’ Hospitalized Patients Receive Care Packages

Care packages with activity books, personal care, and stress-relieving items were recently delivered to 50 patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County. The package items were donated by Lourdes Health System and CommUNITY SJP, a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement and greater cross-cultural understanding through community service and social events in the South Jersey-Philadelphia region.

CommUNITY SJP volunteers and Rowan University students assembled the packages and went room to room to deliver them to patients. Hafeza Shaikh, DO, cardiologist with Lourdes Cardiology and co-founder of CommUNITY SJP, said the packages put smiles on the faces of hospitalized patients.

“Our volunteers delivered packages and well-wishes to patients to help ease the stress of having a hospital stay,” said Dr. Shaikh. “It was an unexpected surprise and patients and their families were very appreciative. It meant a lot to our volunteers as well, who gave their time and service to support a fellow neighbor in need.”

CommUNITY SJP welcomes volunteers and donations to help those in need. Items particularly requested include essential personal and infant care items, fleece blankets, and toys. For more information about volunteering, or to make a donation, please email communitysjp@gmail.com, or go to http://communitysjp.org/.

Pictured (left to right): Lourdes cardiologist Dr. Hafeza Shaikh, Zahid Ali, Asiya Ali, Elaine Brancato, Katrina London, Angelica Marie Logatoc, and Amber Galda, RN.