Throughout the year, the practices of Atrius Health, of which Harvard Vanguard is a part, serve their communities in many ways. Whether it’s providing free health screenings, collecting clothes for children and adults, or coming out in force to raise money for and participate in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, our staff is always willing to help out those in need and to try to make a real difference in the lives of those in our communities.
During the holidays, their generosity shines even brighter. Here is just a sample of how the staff of Atrius Health have served their communities during this holiday season.
Harvard Vanguard Quincy held its annual holiday luncheon last week. As part of the festivities, they packaged presents for two families they supported through DOVE, a local organization that provides support services to victims of domestic and dating violence.
They also raised funds for the Wounded Warrior Project with an ugly holiday sweater contest and basket raffle.
Granite Medical Group staff paid $5 to wear jeans on Fridays during the month of November. They collected a total of $375 for the Movember Foundation to benefit prostate cancer research.
Every year, Harvard Vanguard Beverly adopts a family through Beverly Bootstraps, a wonderful organization in Beverly that offers many services for families in need, including the local food pantry. This year, the Harvard Vanguard Beverly staff adopted a single mom and her two children, a 7 year-old girl who loves to draw, read and play with Barbies, and a 2 month-old boy needing clothes and diapers.
Harvard Vanguard Kenmore staff held a basket raffle to support the Temporary Home for Women and Children. Staff can also select an ornament from the “Giving Tree” which displays holiday wish list items for families at the Temporary Home for Women and Children and St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children. Harvard Vanguard Kenmore also collected food for the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Staff at our Needham Administrative office partners with the Dedham Youth Commission to provide holiday gifts for 70-75 children each year. The Youth Commission works with school counselors and social service agencies to identify families in need. Parents provide their child’s age, gender and a few things that their child needs/wants this year. The staff at Harvard Vanguard Needham II generously donated clothes, toys and gift cards.
Harvard Vanguard Somerville held their annual holiday basket raffle last week. They collected $1,867, which will be benefit various local organizations including the Middlesex Boys and Girls Club and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Atrius Health staff at our corporate office in Newton collected food for the Greater Boston Food Bank in November and are currently collecting toys for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
The Dedham Medical Urgent Care Center Affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Dedham Medical Associates hosted a charitable giving event this holiday season to give back to the community. They partnered with Toys for Tots and both the Dedham and Norwood locations served as a collection sites, collecting approximately 300 toys.