In light of recent events in Ukraine—and the needs of refugees fleeing the country—Intermountain is joining the Larry H. Miller Company Driven to Assist Ukraine Community Donation Drive. The drive will bring together Intermountain and many other organizations across Utah as we collectively work to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Poland, and other areas working to provide for those affected.
At a March 3 press conference, Mikelle Moore, Intermountain senior vice president and chief Community Health officer, joined Intermountain Board of Trustees Chair Gail Miller and other community leaders to discuss the pressing needs of Ukrainian refugees. Intermountain has offered the use of our new Life Flight medical jet to transport basic supplies, hygiene necessities, and other support to help those fleeing the conflict. The jet is not yet in the patient-service rotation so patient care will not be disrupted if it is deployed. The jet is currently being utilized for training hours only.
“We know that social determinants of health include factors like a safe place to sleep, nutrition for our body, and social support in times of need—all things that Ukrainian refugees are in need of right now,” says Mikelle. “We’re grateful to be in a position where we can support our mission, both locally and abroad, by joining in the Driven to Assist initiative.”
“As a community anchor, we help when we can, where we can, however we can,” says Lisa Nichols, assistant vice president of Community Health. “It’s as much about encouraging empathy and kindness in our own communities as it is sending supplies of hope and healing to Ukraine.”
The Driven to Assist Donation Drive is running until Monday, March 14. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Make a monetary donation to the Community Foundation of Utah (CFU) through LHM.com. Donations will be matched up to $2 million with contributions from local Utah foundations, businesses, and other community donors.
- Donate one of the following items to a Driven to Assist donation location:
- Diapers
- Feminine hygiene products
- NEW (with tags) children’s and adult items:
- Shoes
- Socks
- Coats, waterproof jackets, warm hats, gloves and mittens
- Base layers/long underwear
- Emergency thermal blankets
- Hand/foot warmers
“Some research suggests that making small donations to organizations impacted by or involved with the conflict can be very helpful when we feel helpless,” says Marc Potter, EAP counselor and coordinator for mindfulness-based programming. “When suffering is so great that we feel powerless to do anything, these little donations can give us something active to do. They also help open our hearts and be present with suffering rather than pushing it away.”
Click here to read more tips from Intermountain’s Employee Assistance Program on how to manage stress and anxiety during times of conflict.
A list of donation locations, as well as additional information about the Driven to Assist Donation Drive, can be found on the Driven to Assist website.