Forget cancer, just for one day
The December 5th Fund’s mission is to give an amazing day without worry to a family dealing with cancer. While the family is out enjoying their day, our volunteers are back at their home tackling household chores often ignored when someone in the family has cancer. When the family returns, it’s to a house of hope and love, not a to-do list.
The weather is a little crummy today but that didn’t stop us from reviewing another property for a new D5F family. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks to signup for this outdoor-only volunteer opportunity. #bethegood #december5thfund
For the first time in over a year we stepped foot onto the property of a family who needs our help. As we walked the property, there was an air of excitement hanging over our heads knowing that something special was about to happen. Be on the lookout in the coming months for this outdoor only #volunteer opportunity. #bethegood #december5thfund
It’s pretty amazing what wearing a mask can do. Not only can it stop the transmission of a deadly disease, but it can also prompt a conversation over 1000 miles away because someone was wearing a D5F mask in their hometown of Naples, FL.
This conversation then led to a nomination for someone who is unfortunately about an hour out of our service area. However, since the nomination was so compelling and heartwarming, we’re sending this mom a new iPad to take to treatments and to also communicate a little easier with her out-of-town family. We’re also making sure she has some fresh meals delivered to her doorstep so we set her up with a HomeChef subscription.
Every day we’re given the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Sometimes it’s obvious while other times it’s not. Either way, try to seize those moments. #bethegood #december5thfund
We wrapped up 2 welcome baskets for some amazing families this week. After we introduce ourselves, we’ll get to work making sure life is a little easier at home for them while they undergo treatment. From all of us at D5F, thank you for your unwavering support during these unprecedented times. #bethegood
We just wrapped up our final delivery of the day to the night shift at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Through our December 5th Initiative, 850 meals total were prepared for essential workers by numerous restaurants across the St. Louis and Metro East area. ALL IN ONE DAY.
5 years ago a family was blessed with ONE GREAT DAY. That great day has since inspired a mission and vision that has touched countless lives and will continue to do so because of your unwavering support for us.
From all of us at D5F, your support during these unprecedented times has allowed us to give back in bigger and brighter ways this year. But most importanly, THANK YOU for allowing us to continue to make December 5th THE BEST DAY POSSIBLE. #d5f2020
We just wrapped up our second delivery of the day to Saint Louis University Hospital. Both shifts at the ER department enjoyed food prepared by @steveshotdogs and funded by love from us. #d5f2020
160 delicious meals were prepared and delivered by our friends at @perennialonlockwood @oliveandoakstl to the COVID, PEDS, and PICU team at Mercy Hospital. That puts our new total to 540 meals given to essential workers! #D5F2020
150 meals have now made their way to four floors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s COVID unit. These delicious meals from @symbowlstl will give them the energy they need to care for the sick. We’re up to 380 meals for essential workers all over the STL area and Metro East! #D5F2020
100 meals just went out to the ED, PICU, NICU, ONCOLOGY and COVID units at Cardinal Glennon Hospital. We’re now up to 230 meals and this is just the beginning! #D5F2020
The D5F team just dropped off 60 meals to the Barnes Jewish Hospital ER prepared by @steveshotdogs. That puts us up to 130 meals for the day which our essential workers will surely love. #D5F2020
Our first stop of the morning was a huge success at Alton Memorial Hospital. We dropped off 80 meals prepared by @elmezcalbethalto for the ICU, ED, IMU, MCU, AMU and SCU teams. We’ll be back later tonight with another 80 meals for the night shift! Make someone smile today...it’s December 5th! #D5F2020
We’ve got a huge coordinated effort going on right now to show support for essential workers and local restaurants. Be on the lookout for pics throughout the day as we deliver meals to hospitals all over the St. Louis and Metro East area. #D5F2020
Today is a day that changed a family's life forever. On this day, the events that took place would eventually become a founding principle that we hold near and dear to our hearts at The December 5th Fund.
This principle being that today will only happen once, and it's up to us to make it the best day possible. #D5F2020 #december5thfund
Twas the night before December 5th... and our friends at Here Comes Santa are giving a D5F family a magical outdoor experience. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their jolly crew will visit with the family while they enjoy the Christmas lights we put up earlier this week. From all of us at D5F, thank you for helping us make their day!
We welcomed two families to the D5F family this week. We’ve got some pretty special experiences in the works for them along with much needed support back home. #december5thfund #bethegood
For the third week in a row and despite a pandemic, the D5F team has been able to brighten a family’s day. We wanted to make sure these little angels had a birthday with their PawPaw that everyone would cherish forever. The family will enjoy numerous games and a backyard magician along with a catered meal from @pappyssmokehouse today. They were also gifted new bikes, fun toys, a spa day, and the Cadillac of all grills... a Big Green Egg. From all of us at D5F, thank you for helping us make their day. #december5thfund #community #bethegood
We’re all about pivoting at D5F and COVID-19 has been our biggest pivot yet. Over the course of the last 6 months we’ve continually modified our programming so that it can address all of the needs for the families we serve. During that time, our welcome gifts have evolved for each family and continue to get better because of your generous support. Our latest one included; numerous items to take to treatment; Nintendo switch lites for the kids while they stay overnight with family and friends during treatment; an Apple Watch for Mom to track her health; a nice cooler for Dad to quickly stuff the gifted lasagnas and casseroles into while he’s running errands around the neighborhood (this happens a lot). We’re anxious and excited to get back to our old programming, but until then, we’ll keep pivoting so we can continue to provide the best experiences and care possible.
This past weekend, D5F helped give a little girl an exceptional birthday party. The night prior, STL Yard Cards setup a pleasant surprise for her to wake up to then the family was treated to a catered meal from P'sghetti's Pasta & Sandwiches. Our friends from SAMMY J Balloon Creations - St Louis Balloons then put together an amazing Rapunzel themed balloon sculpture, followed by a magic show from Abra-Kid-Abra. The day was then capped off by the Cool Times Ice Cream Truck, and the family could order all the sweet treats they could imagine.
Prior to this amazing day, the family has been receiving weekly laundry, lawn care, and meal prep services, all in part because of your generous support.
From all of us at D5F, thank you for helping us make their day. #december5thfund #community
We’re putting a lot of new safety measures in place for our families and volunteers. Be on the lookout for our new procedures and guidelines for all volunteer opportunities going forward. #december5thfund #volunteer #community
The Junior Executive Directors are helping out today. 6 D5F families are currently receiving meal prep, laundry, and lawn care services while they navigate through these difficult times. We also have some cool social distancing experiences in the works that will definitely bring some smiles to their faces. #bethegood #december5thfund