AR Gould team goes casual to support some great causes

by Contributed
9 months ago
Leaders from Northern Light AR Gould Hospital recently presented a check to the United Way of Aroostook for $3,100 – funds which were all donated from hospital employees through a Casual for a Cause program. The donated funds will be evenly divided between Homeless Services of Aroostook, Hope & Justice Project, Meals on Wheels and the ARG Cares Fund. Presenting the check on behalf of the hospital were, from left, Tammy Beaulier-Fuller, vice president of Nursing and Patient Care Services; Daryl Boucher, vice president of operations; and Dr. Jay Reynolds, president. Representing those receiving funds, from left, Jill Thibeau, director of human resources, on behalf of the ARG Cares Fund; Sarah Duncan, executive director of the United Way of Aroostook; and Kari Bradstreet, executive director of the Homeless Services of Aroostook. Not pictured, a representative from Aroostook Agency on Aging (Meals on Wheels) and Hope & Justice Project. Another $6,200 was donated to funds that support patient and hospital needs. (Courtesy of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine  — For many years, staff and providers at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital have had the opportunity to take part in a “Casual for a Cause” program, donating funds to support worthy causes and in return for dressing down one Friday each month. The program is being revamped in 2024 to double both the amount donated and the number of casual days.

“AR Gould employees have a long tradition of taking care of and supporting our community. The Casual for a Cause program is just one example of this,” says Daryl Boucher, vice president of operations. “Many people in our community are struggling, and we know that a small donation supported by many people can have a huge impact.”

The team at AR Gould is currently dispersing the funds raised through employee donations in 2023. The program supported 12 worthy causes – one each month. Some are internal causes to help patients or hospital causes, while others are community causes that are particularly near and dear to the hearts of the team. These community donations are made to the United Way of Aroostook and designated for the specific causes for which they are intended. 

The hospital presented a check for $3,100 to the United Way on February 22, with funds to be divided evenly ($775 each) between the Homeless Services of Aroostook, the Hope & Justice Project, the Meals on Wheels program of the Aroostook Agency on Aging, and a special ARG Cares fund held by the United Way – funded by AR Gould staff donations to support emergency AR Gould staff needs.

Also receiving $775 each from 2023 funds were the following “internal” hospital causes: 

  • Food insecurity – to purchase food bags, gift cards, and food for patients that screen positive for food insecurity.
  • Patient Assistance Fund – used to assist patients in need with transportation expenses and basic essentials such as clothing and footwear.
  • Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Fund – provides financial assistance to families who experience infant and pregnancy loss.
  • Inpatient/outpatient physical rehab supplies – used to purchase equipment and therapy tools and supplies to support patients on their journey to recovery and independence from a physical injury or illness.
  • Patient activity supplies – to purchase games, crossword puzzles, craft kits, and other supplies to be used throughout the hospital for patients recovering or awaiting long-term care, behavioral health, or skilled nursing placement.
  • Thanksgiving meal – supports the annual tradition of providing dialysis patients with a turkey and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal.
  • ACE Scholarship Fund – supports a scholarship fund for high schoolers participating in the Aroostook Care Exploration program.
  • Area of greatest need – helps pay for equipment or other needs that arise suddenly.

“It is gratifying to be able to help support our patients and our community through this program,” says Boucher. “As fun as it is to be able to dress down on occasion, it’s really all about the causes.”