January Newsletter
Dr. Irwin, Founder and President, sends Season’s Greetings to all:
As we reflect on the past year, I extend heartfelt gratitude on behalf of our volunteers, Board of Directors, and the entire Medical Missionaries community. Your support has made a meaningful impact on the lives of countless individuals, often those whose stories go unheard.
In a world facing numerous challenges, your compassion and generosity have brought peace and solace. Your outreach to the less fortunate has left a direct and profound mark, both locally and internationally.
May God bless you and your family for sharing your time and treasure. Your dedication has made a difference, and we look forward to continuing this journey of compassion and service together.
With much gratitude, we wish you a joyous holiday season and new year!
Dr. Irwin is very thankful for all the donations that have recently come into our office via our mail supporters, those on Network for Good, and for those that dropped by the office. Everyday brings hope for so many that are in need.
Our Holiday Gift and Food Drive was very much a success as you will see from the joyous photos sent from the event! Our work continued throughout the holiday season with a container on its way to the Bishop of Bamenda, Cameroon and supplies sent to the Ukraine front lines via The Traveling Colonels.
Other stories included in this Newsletter include our Annual Report and Medical Missionaries participation in the US Global Leadership Coalition Luncheon.
Stay tuned for upcoming fundraising efforts that include the Super Bowl Squares in February and the annual Caring Hearts Online Auction which will launch in the spring.
Haiti Updates
The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is still generally closed. Staff reports it has been raining everyday. Some patients cannot come to the clinic due to the rain. Some of the staff stay at the staff house so they can be on call. The clinic is operating with their normal schedule.
The solar panels installed at the Clinic continue to function effectively, providing electricity to specific areas within the facility. Staff reports that there is no electricity in the area and are grateful for the solar panels that provide enough electricity to run the clinic.
Currently, staff is treating five patients in the cholera clinic. All are medicated and recovering. There are no cholera-related deaths reported since the beginning of this year.
Catholic Herald: Dr. Irwin Receives Bishop Loverde Missionary Award for Selfless Service.
Dr. Gil Irwin received the 2023 Bishop Paul S. Loverde Missionary Award for Selfless Service on October 20th from Commissioned by Christ at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Marshall, Va. You can read about the ceremony and award on the Arlington Catholic Herald website.
Medical Missionaries 2024 Superbowl Squares Fundraiser!
2023 Holiday Drive for Grundy, Virginia
A team from Medical Missionaries (Dr. George Bazaco, his friend Greg, and George Neal) drove to Grundy on December 15th for the final delivery of food and gifts for the year. The Rocklick Pantry’s holiday distribution was held on December 16th.
Volunteer George Neal, who made the trip for the first time, reported the following:
Everyone is so genuine in that community – there are no pretenses. In spite of their own health challenges the coordinators are there to help others; they are “salt of the earth” people. It is quite an operation that they are running there and it is evident that they all share what little they have.
Medical Missionaries Annual Report
Medical Missionaries Annual Report recaps a busy year of helping our neighbors, those around the US and the world.
Supplies and Equipment In and Out
Ukraine: Our office recently received a visit from Monte Dunard (Ret. Col., USMCR) to pick up needed supplies for the war effort in Ukraine and also to share stories from the frontlines of the war. He spoke of the stress that everyone is feeling from the front lines to the support lines and that fatigue is a challenging factor in this effort. Monte will be returning soon to Poland in his efforts to support the war, but he is also making more contacts in the US. He recently found a partner in Ohio who will pack a container to send supplies in bulk.
Medical Missionaries loaded his car with boxes of bandages and tape, surgical instruments, blood pressure and Pulse Ox machines, and other items such as dressings that contain silver which are used to replenish essential first aid kits.
Stephen Donnelly MD, ER doctor training Ukrainian doctors and medics, sent the following
text to Colonel Monte on December 29, 2023 about Medical Missionaries donations that will be passed on in January:
I am excited to get the donations from your team’s support. Thank you for all of the medical gear! This is a big upgrade for what is available to providers at stabilization points. I’m trying to move them away from betadine soaked gauze on all wounds so this will be a huge help. Soldiers will be helped better and get back to their lives- either their families or back to defending their families. You guys are making a positive impact and helping to save lives in Ukraine. Thank you!”
We wish him and his heroic effort Godspeed.
Cabin Branch Quilters: Twas’ the season to celebrate our blessings! Thanks to the Cabin Branch Quilters for creating and donating these beautiful quilts for those who would love to have a cozy quilt.
The Cabin Branch Quilters (CBQ) quilting guild was founded in 1989 by Paula Golden to provide a focus for quilting in Prince William County, Virginia. Through active recruitment and widespread publicity, they have grown to over 150 members and welcome new members who are interested in quilting.
CBQ sponsors educational activities including lectures, workshops and demonstrations. They have a wide range of experienced and new quilters which provide for an exciting membership.
CBQ meets at the Lake Ridge Baptist Church in Woodbridge, the fourth Monday of each month, at 7:00 pm.
Rocklick Food Pantry 2024 Toy Drive: Volunteer Michelle becomes an elf after the holidays are over! She researches businesses such as BJs and websites such as Amazon for after-holiday sales. The toys she delivered to our office after the holidays were all purchased at a big discount, sometimes 50% off! We are well on our way to supporting the Rocklick Holiday Drive 2024!
Local Community: The Manassas office is open six days a week. Even over the holiday season cars, vans, and trucks stopped by to bring medical equipment and supplies. These items are then used within the local community and for shipments to other countries. Our support of the local community continues to increase.
Rocklick Food Pantry, Grundy, Va.: Our most critical need remains non-perishable food for the Pantry. Our 2024 goal is to resume monthly food shipments, which we can do only if the food trailer is full. Their January distribution is Thursday, January 25th, so we are hopeful that we have enough food to fill the trailer. Please consider making a donation.
Community Volunteers: As we welcome a new year, we are very grateful for every volunteer who helps us keep the office open and busy, donates, packs, and supports all of our efforts around the world.
“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.”
~Albert Schweitzer
Community Outreach: US Global Leadership Coalition Luncheon
Dr. Gil Irwin/Medical Missionaries, is a member of the State Advisory Committee of the USGLC. We were honored to be invited to the USGLC event with esteemed guest Representative Gerry Connelly (D-VA-11) on November 20th.
Rep. Connelly spoke to America’s role in the world in the face of growing global threats and crises. The event highlighted the importance of the public-private partnerships and their role in addressing global challenges.
Given Medical Missionaries’ engagement in global projects, this event gave our team an opportunity to network with partners who have a stake in places such as Haiti. Medical Missionaries is involved in working with many impoverished areas around the world as we try to alleviate the challenges so many face in their communities.
Medical Missionaries is honored to be a part of the US Global Leadership Coalition.
