Winter Warm Event Well Supported, Again January 5, 2023 In its second year, many generous Samaritans and community members flooded the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center with donations for their Winter Warm event. The items were collected at various sites in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties, benefiting local patients who are receiving cancer treatment. Like before, participants had two ways to help bring winter warmth to cancer patients. They could give knitted items such as gloves, fuzzy socks, scarfs or hats. Or they could pick up a blank note card and create an artistic greeting or write a message of support to encourage and bring cheer to our cancer patients. Some did both! Oncology Outreach Coordinator Carmen Boone with the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center expressed her gratitude to those who donated, and to the many supporters and partners that helped with the program, including the Center for Health Education in Newport and Zion Lutheran Christian School in Corvallis (K-8 students). “The drive ended in mid-December and we were able to get the goodie bags out to patients before the holiday season and icy conditions,” Boone said. “We know they appreciated the heartfelt cards and warm, fuzzy gifts. For the second year running, my heart was warmed to see the response!” In total, the Winter Warm event received 100 hats, 20 pairs of gloves, 30 scarfs and 110 cards – plus several shawls, socks and other cozy-cute items. They were packaged into goodie bags, which were distributed to infusion, lymphedema, hematology and oncology patients at all five Samaritan sites. To learn more about cancer services and resources, visit samhealth.org/Cancer.
