UM BWMC Supports Anne Arundel Students Returning To Classrooms

UM BWMC Care Management team members donated 48 backpacks to the Department of Social Services' annual backpack program. UM BWMC team members donated over 1,100 school supplies to the Anne Arundel County Police Department's Stuff A Cruiser event for students at Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Posted Friday, September 9, 2022 2:58 pm

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) provided reusable water bottles and school supplies to public schools in Anne Arundel County to support students as they returned to classrooms. These donations are part of several hospital initiatives aimed at supporting the health and wellbeing of Anne Arundel County youth.

Hospital leaders visited Park Elementary School on August 26 to donate 600 reusable water bottles, one for each student, as a way to encourage students to stay healthy and hydrated. Through discussions with Park Elementary School administrators, UM BWMC learned that milk was the only beverage available to students during school hours, unless students brought their own water bottles. With some water fountains closed due to COVID-19 safety protocols, access to drinking water throughout the school day became harder for some students that did not have a water bottle.

“It takes amazing community partners to make any school be successful, and we are so fortunate to have the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center as one of our partners,” said Sandy Blondell, principal at Park Elementary School. “Healthier students are more successful students, and this donation from UM BWMC will help make our students healthier and happier. We are incredibly grateful.”

UM BWMC worked with other organizations and schools to distribute supplies to Anne Arundel County public school students. Through collaborations with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the hospital donated more than 1,100 school supply items, including backpacks, paper, crayons, markers, pencils and more.

“It’s important that as a hospital, we develop relationships with others in our community and that we work together outside of our physical walls to offer health and wellness resources to everyone we serve, from the youngest to the oldest,” said Diane Croghan, vice president of community engagement and chief of staff at UM BWMC.