PCM Nurses Give Back
Sometimes meaningful action begins by noticing what is happening around us. For Lauree Caldwell, a Senior Case Manager located in South Carolina, that moment came while driving through town late last year to see a PCM home care client. “I noticed a line of cars waiting to pick up food that stretched two blocks long,” Lauree shared. “The news was reporting the loss of SNAP benefits and interviewing working mothers who were trying to feed their children. It was impossible not to be affected by that.”
With the holidays approaching, Lauree suggested a small change to her clinical team’s plans. Instead of hosting the traditional ornament exchange, she proposed collecting food for families in need. Donations were collected for approximately one week, with the majority brought in on November 19 during the team’s Christmas celebration. The response was immediate and generous. Around 30 team members participated, donating approximately 200 boxed food items and 500 canned goods, filling five shopping carts and completely packing the back of an SUV.
“It was so easy to get everyone on board,” Lauree said. “We sent a few group emails asking for donations at our Christmas celebration, and the amount of food that came in was overwhelming. I was incredibly proud of our team.” “Watching the boxes fill up was exciting and fulfilling,” added Nicole Denardo, the Regional Director for Clinical Operations for SC/GA. “We were even putting seats down in the SUV to make more room. Seeing that level of participation in such a short time really stood out.” Once everything was collected, Lauree and Nicole delivered the donations to ACTS (Area Churches Together Serving), a local food bank. The ACTS team helped unload the vehicle and expressed their appreciation. Each box included a note that reflected the heart behind the effort: “From Your Loving Nurses at PCM.”
“We want our community to know that PCM truly cares about those in need,” Nicole said. “That message mattered just as much as the food itself.” For Lauree, the experience reinforced something she believes deeply. “As nurses and as PCM employees, we should be active in our community,” she said. “The sense of pride you feel afterward is incredibly rewarding.”
