Hospital IT department continues holiday tradition of giving back
MARQUETTE — For the past 24 years, the Information Technology department at UP Health System – Marquette has been quietly helping a family in the UP have an extraordinary Christmas.
The generous and technologically savvy members of the department receive a wish list via Sister Ludmilla Gramann, OSF of St. Michael’s in Marquette. The wish list comes from a family in need of help during the holidays. A different family is selected each year by Sister Ludmilla.
The IT department works together to collect cash donations, or to pick up items from the family’s wish list. They provide a gift card for the family to purchase their Christmas dinner, clothes, family items, stockings, and toys. Each year, they also provide new bedding or outerwear for the children. This year’s donations included a room full of toys and warm winter weather-ware, Kohl’s cash, and more.
The department looks forward to this tradition every year. Sherry Callewaert, who is a Software Developer at UP Health System – Marquette and coordinates the effort, said “I wake up Christmas morning with a feeling of excitement thinking about our ‘Christmas Family.’ Even though I have no idea who they are, I feel like I know them.”
Information Technology staff members boxed all the packages and delivered the gifts on December 14th, this year.