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coming in,” DeSear comments. “Plus, it’s a quiet little respite if you
is having a major surgery or if a loved one is coming to the end
of their life and the family is all at the hospital, it’s interesting
how that shop becomes somewhat of a comfort zone for them.”
Proceeds from every thrift shop and gift shop purchase go
directly to Manatee Memorial Foundation funding opportunities.
“It’s not like a national organization where you have a huge
is raised goes right back into the community.”
In fact, some of the funding is funneled to programs right there
in the Manatee Memorial Hospital. “In the Manatee Memorial
Hospital Breast Care Center, we sponsor MammoPads, a
comfort cushion to make mammograms less painful,” says
DeSear. “There’s also a nursing award program called the
DAISY Awards that the foundation sponsors for nurses within
the facility,” he adds.
The DAISY Award is a nationwide program that rewards and
celebrates extraordinary nurses. As a DAISY Award Hospital
Partner, Manatee Memorial Hospital recognizes one of their
nurses with this special honor every month or quarter. “These
are nurses who have done something really wonderful and are
nominated by visitors and other staff,” DeSear says.
DeSear says the Foundation has also offered funding for Family
BirthPlace, the hospital’s labor and delivery unit, as well as
MOMM’s Place, which offers a variety of classes, programs and
services for families with new babies.