Employees of the Weston Regional Medical Center have once again shown their support for an “Adopt a Child” Program in the Dominican Republic.

Staff members from Saint Clare’s Hospital, Ministry Health Care, Ministry Medical Group, The Diagnostic & Treatment Center and Marshfield Clinic along with visitors who visit the Weston Campus take part in the “Spare Change to Sponsor a Child” collections located in the Bread Basket restaurant of Saint Clare’s Hospital.

“This is truly an example of every little bit making a difference for these children in need,” said Dawn Kluever of Saint Clare’s food and nutrition services who helped coordinate the collection effort.

This year’s collection, which is distributed through The Foundation of Saint Clare’s Hospital   totaled almost 500-dollars and raised the total support of the program since the medical center’s opening in 2005 to nearly $3,000. Sponsored by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, the Dominican program provides meals to school-age children in need in Santiago.

The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother have been present with multiple programs in the Caribbean since 1960. Today they are serving in the Dominican Republic and on the islands of St. Lucia, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are grateful for the support of the staff and visitors in Weston who support this important project,” said Sister Sharee Hurtgen, patient advocate at Saint Clare’s Hospital and a member of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. “Through this organization, the poorest of the poor are served in pre-school centers, rural health clinics and surgery centers. Through the literacy and vocational training programs, the young adults are prepared to make a difference in their communities.”