Hospital, Habitat work for healthier community
Volunteers from CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs helped put the final touches on a Garland County Habitat for Humanity home the hospital sponsored at 207 Oma on Saturday as part of its commitment to building a healthier community, Habitat and hospital officials said.
About 20 volunteers from CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs helped lay sod Saturday at the new home of Daria Sears and her two young children. Sears was “very excited” about moving into the new home, said Courtney Post, Habitat’s public relations coordinator.
“It’s amazing to see CHI so involved after I just gave birth to my son at that hospital,” Sears said Saturday.
Sears said she feels blessed to be able to raise her two sons, a 5-month-old newborn and a 5-year-
old, in a Habitat for Humanity home.
“It feels so good to watch people so involved in the organization; they’re helping when they don’t have to,” Sears said.
This is the third year that CHI has sponsored a Habitat house. CHI donates $65,000 annually and also sends volunteers during the build to help.
“CHI St. Vincent’s long-standing partnership with Habitat is part of their unwavering commitment to building a healthier community,” Cindy Wagstaff, executive director of Garland County Habitat for Humanity, said in an email.
“They recognize that a house is like a vaccine for life: preventing illness while providing safety. We’re excited the homeowner of this year’s CHI St. Vincent’s house will have the advantage of raising children in a safe, healthy environment,” Wagstaff said.
“CHI St. Vincent is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable. As part of this commitment, we have an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity by sponsoring home builds in several of our markets. We have sponsored three homes in as many years, one being for one of our co-workers,” CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs President Tony Houston said in a statement released Friday.
“Partnering with Habitat for Humanity not only follows our mission of service to the poor and vulnerable, but it also speaks to the commitment we have to making our communities healthier. Providing a safe, sound home for members of our community in need impacts their lives and health directly, while it serves as an example of our call to contribute to the communities in which we live. Volunteering our time to this worthy cause and giving back is an opportunity to show our thanks for the blessings in our lives and the privilege of being a part of our ministry, and to experience the joy in sharing our ministry with the community,” Houston said.