#GivingTuesday: “My St. Ann’s Story”

As we start this new chapter in St. Ann’s story, it is impossible to ignore the 153 years of history that has already been written. It can be witnessed in the smiling faces of decades-old photographs lining St. Ann’s hallways; in President Abraham Lincoln’s scrawling signature on the 1863 charter which incorporated St. Ann’s Infant Asylum; and in the original hand-written records marking the first birth, death and adoption. 

However, we believe that the St. Ann’s story is best told by the countless lives touched during our 153-year tradition of caring. That is why on #GivingTuesday, we asked our friends, supporters and advocates to share why they choose to support St. Ann’s: their “St. Ann’s Story.”

Giving Tuesday: A National Day of Giving

#GivingTuesday is a nationwide campaign to create a “day of giving” during the annual post-Thanksgiving spending and shopping season. The goal of the campaign is to encourage individuals to volunteer, donate, and give back to their community every year on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

This year, on Tuesday December 3rd, St. Ann’s participated in this new call-to-action in a unique way. We know that the St. Ann’s community is incredibly charitable year round – especially during the holiday season. Instead of asking for donations this #GivingTuesday, we asked our supporters to tell us their “St. Ann’s Story.”.

Telling St. Ann’s Story

The response was overwhelming. We heard from former volunteers, staff members and longtime friends of St. Ann’s. We heard from advocates and supporters who share our mission to serve our community’s most vulnerable mothers and children. We heard from individuals who had been introduced to St. Ann’s at a United Way or CFC charity fair and were moved by the organization’s impact. And we heard from those for whom St. Ann’s was once their home: the countless young mothers and children that St. Ann’s has served over the years.

Here are a few of their stories:

 “I came to St. Ann’s as a volunteer in June 1997, helping in the children’s nursery...”

- Elizabeth A. Perkins (Board Member, Volunteer)

 “I support St. Ann’s because I want to give hope to vulnerable young women and children.”

- Rosalyn

  “I landed at St. Ann's when I was four years old… I support the mission of St. Ann's because of its unyielding quest to assist young mothers and their young children.”

- Navarro

 “I support St. Ann’s because it was my first home.”

- Patricia S. 

  “I support St. Ann's every year through the CFC program because my parents adopted me through Catholic Charities from St. Ann's back in 1972…”

- Jill

 “I support St. Ann’s in honor of my mother’s memory.  My mom, Frances McGehrin was a volunteer at St. Ann’s in the 1960’s and 1970’s...”

- Marty McGehrin 

Read the rest of these and other "St. Ann's Stories" here.

We want to thank everyone who participated in #GivingTuesday by sharing their St. Ann’s story or making a contribution to advance our work with vulnerable children, youth and families. With your continued support and advocacy, we will be able to share many more “St. Ann’s Stories.”

To tell your “St. Ann’s Story” or learn about how you can get involved with St. Ann’s, please contact Mary at [email protected] or by phone (301-559-5500).