Caring for patients and their families is a daily part of life for the staff at Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital. When United Way reached out for the hospital to help in their local community; it was no surprise that the answer was a resounding yes. The hospital rallied the community together to restore the local playground at Woodbury Grammar School in Cannon County, Tennessee. The project was supported through the Hometown Huddle with United Way. CEO Sue Conley spoke about her staff’s contribution, “It makes me so proud to see our staff reaching out to help in the community with the same care and giving that I see them provide for our patients every day. As a leader, it just doesn’t get any better than that.”
Michelle Russell of United Way spoke with gratitude about the partnership with the hospital, “It takes a generous partner like Stones River Hospital to make a community thrive. These volunteers from the hospital and local community have given up their time to give back to the kids of Cannon County. It is a beautiful thing, and I am so very grateful to them for joining United Way in this project.”
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has partnered with companies and organizations that are asked to adopt a playground by sponsoring materials and providing volunteers for the project. This second annual event is aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles as part of United Way’s impact area of health. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, increases self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Hometown Huddle is part of United Way’s focus on healthy lifestyles during the month of September each year.
Principal Rick Meacham smiles with gratitude upon seeing the work begin, “Our students are excited, the teachers and parents are grateful; and I would like to personally thank Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital and United Way for making this a reality for our school. Thank you.”
Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital has decided to further expand the project and is currently raising funds to add a much needed pavilion to the school’s picnic area. For more information on how you can volunteer with this upcoming event, contact Saint Thomas Stones River at 615-563-4001.
