Second annual program provides $35,000 in funding to 16 agencies
Following an overwhelming response in its inaugural year, “BJC Gives Back” returned with a second annual opportunity for employees to nominate a charitable organization to receive part of a BJC donation.
Once again, team members submitted more than 100 nominations, which were evaluated by the St. Louis Community Foundation. The Foundation recommended how to allocate $35,000 among these deserving grassroots, local nonprofit organizations with a shared mission of improving the health of the community.
Sixteen organizations were chosen to receive donations ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. Selected charities span the St. Louis region, outstate Missouri and the Metro East, and support health, wellness, basic needs, youth and child development, education, and behavioral health. The charitable organizations receiving donations this year are:
- Annie’s Hope
- Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
- Covering House
- Darrell Thomas Foundation
- December 5th Fund
- Disabled Athletes Sport Association
- Give Kids a Smile
- Health Literacy Ministry
- Jamaa Birth Village
- LIFEArts
- Life House Youth Center
- Little Patriots Embraced
- Lydia’s House
- Moms on a Mission
- St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness
- Stop the Bleed
“As a nonprofit organization and one of the region’s largest employers, BJC works to be a good neighbor and community member, including support of charitable organizations that share a similar mission,” said Rich Liekweg, BJC president and CEO, at the 2019 BJC Gives Back ceremony. “We hope these donations to some unsung heroes among charities can help support our collective missions in the communities we serve together.”
The selected organizations, along with the nominating team members, will be recognized at a celebration event March 2.
About St. Louis Community Foundation
With more than 100 nominations from caring team members, BJC once again turned to the St. Louis Community Foundation to evaluate and make recommendations on distribution of the $35,000 charitable donation. Located in Clayton, Missouri, the Foundation has been helping St. Louisans put charitable dollars to work since 1915. The Foundation works with individuals, nonprofits, corporations and community leaders to build a more equitable and vibrant region, making a difference through inspired charitable giving.
Meet the charities
- Annie's Hope
- Kirkwood, Missouri
- Provides comprehensive support services for children, teens and their families who are grieving a death.
- Nominated by: Dawn Bethel, Christian Hospital
- Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
- Columbia, Missouri
- Enhances the community’s health by connecting people to agriculture and the land through hands-on learning opportunities from seed to plate.
- Nominated by: Michelle Zvanut, Boone Hospital Center
- Covering House
- Brentwood, Missouri
- Provides refuge and restoration to sexually exploited children and teens.
- Nominated by: Jill Hall, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Darrell Thomas Foundation
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Raises awareness for cardiovascular disease and prevention to save the lives of young athletes.
- Nominated by: Natoya Fuller, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- December 5th Fund
- Brentwood, Missouri
- Gives families dealing with cancer one great day designed to strengthen their love for one another and to focus on what matters most.
- Nominated by: Lisa Gregg, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Disabled Athletes Sport Association
- St. Peters, Missouri
- A paralympic sports club that recruits individuals age five years to adults with physical limitations who are cognitively able to follow rules of a game without assistance.
- Nominated by: Steve Hemming, BJC HealthCare
- Give Kids a Smile
- Kirkwood, Missouri
- Eliminates the silent epidemic of dental disease of underserved children who cannot sleep, eat properly, pay attention in school, or simply smile.
- Nominated by: Debra Flavin, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Health Literacy Ministry
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Educates seniors age 55 and older in north St. Louis City concerning heart failure and hypertension.
- Nominated by: Roslyn Pearson, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Jamaa Birth Village
- Ferguson, Missouri
- A sacred, safe place for expectant families in the St. Louis area and home to St. Louis’ Doula of Color Collective.
- Nominated by: Natalie Maclin, BJC HealthCare
- LIFEArts
- Ferguson, Missouri
- Provides leadership and development opportunities for urban youth pursuing arts.
- Nominated by: Harlan Hodge, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Life House Youth Center
- Sullivan, Missouri
- Provides youth, ages 10-17, a fun, structured, safe and loving place to spend time with their peers after school and in the summer, free of charge.
- Nominated by: Natalie Counts, Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital
- Little Patriots Embraced
- Kirkwood, Missouri
- Serves military children by making sure they receive support, recognition and skills to thrive.
- Nominated by: Carole Schmitt, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
- Lydia’s House
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Provides help for people dealing with domestic abuse.
- Nominated by: Lori Combs, BJC HealthCare, and Ellie Harmon, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- Moms on a Mission
- Dupo, Illinois
- Provides help to the homeless, victims of fire and people who just need help.
- Nominated by: Micaah Bailey, BJC HealthCare, and Alexandra Bajorek, BJC Medical Group
- St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Promotes awareness of early warning signs and standards of care, funding ovarian cancer research, and supporting survivors.
- Nominated by: Karen Street, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
- Stop the Bleed
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Raise awareness and teach people three quick actions to control serious bleeding to help save lives.
- Nominated by: Marc Hanes, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, and Kelly Meade, Christian Hospital