Dayton Green Team gives MORE
A little after midnight, Dayton Assistant Clinical Director Colleen Flaum received an email from the call center requesting a return call to the son of Catherine Smith.
The son told her that he had begged and borrowed enough money to get to Dayton from Somerset, KY. His mother had passed away just a few hours prior to his arrival.
He and his friend had just enough money for gas but not enough for a hotel.
It was bitterly cold outside with temperatures in the low teens. Colleen got the idea to ask Crossroads coworkers to help. She called out through the office and asked if anyone could donate money to help them pay for a place to stay.
Everyone in the office donated something. Some gave money. Some gave gift certificates to restaurants. Some gave both. Everyone contributed. Someone mentioned that Red Roof Inn would often do a discounted rate. Colleen and Pat contacted the Red Roof Inn on Byers Lane. The staff there were happy to offer a discounted rate for the night and the desk manager said that she would have a voucher for the guests when they arrived.
With everyone’s help we were able to provide two nights’ stay, gas, and meals. Our Bereavement Coordinator’s husband donated two suits, so our patient’s son and his friend would have one to wear. Thanks to the Dayton team, this family was able to attend their mother’s funeral and have a warm place to stay.
Colleen drove over to the McDonald’s to meet them. The son of the deceased got out of the van and came up to Colleen’s window saying, “My momma died tonight,” and he began to cry. When Colleen gave him the envelope containing the cash and the cards, he cried a little harder and thanked her for everything we did that night.
She received three more phone calls that night from him expressing his thanks and saying how grateful he was for the help.
Thank you to all the Crossroads employees who donated: Marcy Hutchins, Terri Hale, Emily Campbell, Saundra Klaus, Denise Gadson, Karen Hatcher, and Colleen Flaum.
