Holland Hospital recognizes an opportunity to support the community

It’s not a secret—Michigan winters can be brutal. Warm clothing is an absolute necessity for getting through some of the coldest months of the year.

Unfortunately, many patients come into hospital emergency departments without the proper attire to face winter elements. While some are in need of a fresh set of dry clothes, many are lacking warm attire all together.

Providing clothing to those in need has been a consistent problem for the Holland Hospital community.

Cheryl Stewart, RN and Nurse Care Manager in the emergency department wanted to see change. She reached out to the Holland Rescue Mission and began to develop a solution. With assistance from the Holland Rescue Mission, she established the Holland Hospital Care Closet.

Stewart started Holland Hospital’s Care Closet with the goal to provide clothing to patients in need. Since then, the organization has relied on contributions from hospital employees and generous donations from the community to stay in operation.

Holland Hospital’s Care Closet has been used by hundreds of local patients in need. Patients reach out to Holland Hospital’s Care Closet for a variety of reasons. Some of the clothing recipients consist of patients who were in car accidents and their clothes had to be cut off them, patients whose clothes were soiled, and homeless patients in need of warm or new apparel.

“I never dreamed the Care Closet would have such an impact,” Stewart said.

Holland Hospital recognized the opportunity to help and is continuing to do so. Holland Hospital’s Care Closet offers comfort to the community, reminding each individual in need ‘you do matter.’