December 19, 2003

A time of reflection: An MGHer thanks generous staff

Below is a letter from an MGH employee who wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication of several MGH employees and departments that coordinated their efforts to make the holidays a wonderful time of year for children from the YouthCare program (formerly known as Camp Bunker Hill).

As I sit in my office looking at overflowing bags and boxes of Christmas gifts donated to the children of Camp Bunker Hill in Charlestown, I feel the need to congratulate one specific organizer of the project and the many anonymous donors to this program. For the 17 years that I have worked at the MGH, this project has continually been orchestrated and carried out to the fullest by wonderful people who donate every year. The major contributors to this yearly event include the MGH Clinical Neurophysiology, Neurology, and Pediatric Neurology office staffs and physicians, employees from MGH satellite offices that refer to our department, and other affiliated members who heard of this charity by word of mouth.

I would also like to thank one MGH employee in particular, Theresa DePaoli, a coordinator for MGH Patient Care Services in the EMG/EEG Laboratory, who single-handedly has been able to recruit gifts from all contributors. Since this project began, Theresa has never disappointed the camp and never has neglected a single child. In fact, people donating to this cause sometimes begin receiving information from Theresa in August. During the past few years, donors have requested a specific list of what children are asking for, so that each child receives a gift appropriate to what they wanted. This extra step in helping a child shows that this is a heartfelt contribution and not one of mere obligation. As a donor myself, each year I look forward to knowing that a child in need will be pleasantly surprised with a gift that was specifically selected for him or her.

For some people, the holidays are a time of high stress and personal difficulties. I am grateful to work with such wonderful and generous human beings who always think of others in need. I wanted to send a special thank you to Theresa for her continuing efforts year after year for the children of Camp Bunker Hill.

Sincerely,

Kathy Carlson,
Manager of MGH Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory