More than 200 ChristianaCare caregivers and their families came together for a systemwide service project on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 20 to pack supply kits for neighbors in need.
Hosted by ChristianaCare’s Office of Inclusion & Diversity, caregivers united in service on our Cecil County, Newark and Wilmington campuses.

These volunteers assembled 3,500 supply kits with essential items like washcloths, dish soap and detergent for individuals transitioning into permanent housing and toiletries, journals and puzzle books for patients in treatment for cancer at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

The kits also carried inspiration. Caregivers handwrote encouraging messages that were tucked in alongside toiletries and other essentials:
“You’ve got this!” “You are stronger than you know.” “This is tough. But so are you!”

Other caregivers delivered the inspirations and the kits to the the Graham Cancer Center, the Union Hospital Emergency Department, New Castle County Hope Center, Inc., and other community partners.

Natalie Torres, director of Inclusion & Diversity, credited ChristianaCare’s Supply Chain and Transportation departments with making sure toiletries and other supplies were available at the three campus locations and also coordinating the pickup and delivery of donations.

“This service project is such a powerful reminder of how our values of love and excellence shine through in everything that we do,” Torres said.
“Dr. King truly resonates with who we are as an organization. Serving our community, connecting with one another, making a difference — it’s what we do best — and we are so honored to carry on this tradition in Dr. King’s name.”