"The community event was a great success. Not only did we have a chance to see how much work goes into the packing of the boxes of equipment first-hand, but through the information the MedShare team shared, we were able to see the amount of work this team does and just how comprehensive their programs are." -William Asiko, President of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation
MedShare’s mission to bridge the gap between surplus and need would not be possible without our volunteers and partners. During this past year in the Southeastern Distribution Center, almost 12,000 volunteers served for 42,228 hours to pack boxes of hope. One of our largest financial supporters, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, has sponsored 32 containers and donated $8.7 million worth of medical supplies and equipment.
To show our appreciation for their efforts, we held The Coca-Cola Africa – MedShare Partnership Volunteer Event on July 28th at the Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta.
MedShare volunteers remarked that one of the highlights was hearing Pastor Tom Deuschle of Celebration Health speak about his experience treating those suffering from lack of medical care in Zimbabwe. He told the audience of how those born with cleft palates are alienated from society, but can rejoin after a simple surgery.
Zimbabwe has benefitted not only from Pastor Deuschle’s work, but also from The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and MedShare partnership. Last year both organizations, along with Catalina Imaging, presented the country with a mobile CT scanner, making it only the second scanner in the entire public health system.
The event also consisted of a sorting session, where Coca-Cola, MedShare's Board of Trustees and volunteers packed boxes to be sent overseas. They were able to pack 1,409 pounds of donated Kendall product alongside some of our most experienced regular volunteers.
Volunteers who have contributed a significant amount of hours received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Seven volunteers received the bronze award for 100 hours of lifetime service, five received the silver award for 250 hours, and seven received the gold award for giving 500 hours.
Five volunteers were also presented special plaques.
- Deborah Printz was given the “Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award” for her eight years of service to MedShare. Over the years, she has sorted the specialized surgical steel and has brought her family and friends to volunteer with her.
- Jack and Pat Horvath, who help train new volunteers and oversee the boxing process in the sort room, were given the “Volunteer Leadership Award.”
- Jane Gole was given the “Outstanding Service Award” for giving to MedShare by going above and beyond the role of a normal volunteer. Each week she re-stocks the Southeast Distribution Center’s medical mission team store and also brings donations.
- The “Volunteer Rookie of the Year Award” went to Tish Wallace, now a regular on Friday mornings, who has engaged her friends in her work at MedShare.
Recipient of the “Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award”, Deborah Printz, commented, “I really enjoyed the Coca-Cola Africa/MedShare event. It was especially interesting to hear about how the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation has partnered with the local Coca-Cola communities to solve many of the challenges of delivering goods to recipients. It was also a pleasure to help the Foundation people experience a MedShare sort. The venue was wonderful and the event well organized!”
Through The Coca-Cola Africa – MedShare Partnership Volunteer Event, both organizations were able to recognize and celebrate their joint effort of healing lives. The event was organized by Nell Diallo, VP for Corporate and International Relations in collaboration with MedShare Staff.
