Emmanuel Cancer Foundation.
We learned about the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation at our November meeting from speaker Mary Ann Sullivan, director of the Southern Region ECF office. She explained to us the three ways ECF helps families dealing with pediatric cancer:
- In-Home Counseling : ECF provides professional counseling, emotional support and advocacy assistance free for the entire family.
- Material Assistance: Through four Regional Centers, ECF works with volunteers to collect and distribute groceries, toys, clothing, household items, and birthday and holiday gifts.
- Emergency Financial Aid: ECF’s emergency financial assistance can help families with urgent needs such as paying rent, utility, phone and insurance bills.
We are not only raising money for this Special State Project, but also doing hands-on projects to help the local families served by ECF. In late November or early December we will be wrapping gifts for the organization’s Family Christmas Party. We will provide the wrapping paper and have a multitude of volunteers ready and willing to wrap.
We collected a trunkful of food for the organization’s food pantry. Thanks to club members for all their donations.
We also gave Mary Ann more pillowcases. Club members sew “Magic Pillowcases” and give them to ECF to distribute to the families. They are bright and cheerful, just what’s needed to cheer up children with cancer and their siblings.