Giving Back in Florence with the McLeod Health Foundation
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Founded in 1986, the McLeod Health Foundation addresses a wide range of needs and challenges at McLeod Health. Funds raised by the Foundation have been used to support McLeod Hospice (one of the only not-for-profit hospice services in the region), McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research, McLeod Children's Hospital and the McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute.
Robert Harris, the Florence City Executive at South Carolina Federal, has been involved with the McLeod Health Foundation since 2004 when he became CEO of Health Facilities Federal Credit Union (which merged with South Carolina Federal in 2020). He is especially passionate about the Children's Hospital and McLeod's Cancer Center, and can often be found fundraising for the Foundation and raising awareness of its work in and outside of Florence.
"South Carolina Federal encourages its employees to champion the charitable causes we're passionate about, so I continuously work to raise awareness of everything the McLeod Health Foundation does for the hospital and our community." said Harris.
South Carolina Federal was proud to be a Presenting Sponsor for this year's Chef and Child event benefitting McLeod Children's Hospital, which treats more than 56,000 children every year.
We also support The Guest House at McLeod, a home where families of hospital patients can stay while their loved ones are being treated. The only facility of its kind in the region, The Guest House at McLeod has 17 private bedrooms, a living room, den, library, meditation garden and fully-equipped kitchen. Funded entirely by donations, the Guest House is a haven for many families, especially for young parents of infants in the NICU.
Harris added, "It feels good to support a hospital that does so much for our community. But when you hear stories about families who have stayed at the Guest House or been directly impacted by the McLeod Health Foundation, that's when you realize how many lives your contributions are changing."
The team at McLeod Health Foundation works closely with doctors, nurses and other staff at McLeod Health to evaluate needs and determine where donations can make the most impact. Whether it is investing in new technology to keep parents connected to their babies in the NICU or helping patients receiving cancer treatment with transportation to and from their appointments, the Foundation is always looking for ways to give back.
To learn more about the incredible work the McLeod Health Foundation is doing, visit https://www.mcleodhealth.org/foundation/.