2018 community involvement program kicks off at Adventist Health System's corporate office

Just as Adventist Health System's mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ drives care delivery inside its hospitals, the same mission permeates a culture of service outside of the hospital walls that aims to foster abundant life and build healthier communities. A catalyst for this service-minded approach is the organization's community involvement program, which recently got underway for 2018 and features a new community partner. Through the community involvement program, Adventist Health System corporate services employees are able to participate in various service opportunities to make a difference locally. This year, the addition of new community partner, Rebuilding Together Orlando, which rehabilitates residential homes for low-income homeowners, gives employees the opportunity to assist with various aspects of the renovation process, including repairs, modifications, painting and landscaping. Activities that make up this year's community involvement program also include contributing to food and blood drives; providing enrichment for local school children; pledging to the annual United Way fundraiser; sorting donations at a local food bank; helping out at an area medical facility; and participating in park and highway cleanups. Employees are able to participate in program initiatives during work hours.

By conducting a community health needs assessment, Adventist Health System is able to identify needs in the community. In 2017, employees participating in the program helped contribute more than $300,000 through fundraising (which included a corporate match), logged nearly 6,000 hours serving the community, donated 9,000 pounds of non-perishable food items and saved 750 lives by donating to blood drives.

In addition, Adventist Health System garnered awards and recognition on several occasions for its community involvement efforts in 2017, receiving a Corporate Philanthropy Award from the Orlando Business Journal and a Community Champion Award from Heart of Florida United Way. The organization was also recognized for outstanding volunteer service by Spring Lake Elementary and received the Team Spirit Award at the IOA Corporate 5k.