“Mission Days” is a cherished annual tradition at SSM Health. It’s an opportunity to engage employees, reconnect to the mission and participate in philanthropic activities that give back to the community.
Each SSM Health hospital ministry selected a worthy cause or organization to serve as beneficiaries of these employee-driven service projects. In partnership with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, materials were delivered to each hospital location so employees could participate in assembling items into care kits specific to the needs of the populations the respective organizations serve.
This year, 5,845 volunteers participated in SSM Health Mission Days, logging 10,010 volunteer hours and assembling 8,350 care kits (called “Service2Go kits”) that were distributed to 15 local nonprofit agencies. Collectively, this represents a community investment of $336,856.
The beneficiaries in St. Charles County were Heritage Primary School in Wentzville, Crisis Nursery, Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home, Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. Hundreds of kits were distributed to these organizations to help those in need throughout our community. Employees also wrote positive messages and words of encouragement on cards that were included in each kit.
The theme of this year’s Mission Days was “Called to Serve.”
"As employees of SSM Health, we are called to serve the most vulnerable members of our society. That has not changed since our founding sisters first arrived in St. Louis in 1872," says Dr. Doug Barton, vice president of medical affairs for SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital-St. Charles. "It’s the reason why SSM Health is prioritizing Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) to find creative ways to impact the most dire health challenges facing our individual communities. Mission Days was one component of our CHNA initiative. We look forward to sharing more about how we’re addressing these health needs in the coming months and years."
"As employees of SSM Health, we are called to serve the most vulnerable members of our society. That has not changed since our founding sisters arrived in St. Louis in 1872." —Dr. Doug Barton
