Our practice is committed to giving support to children and women in need, locally and in China. We contribute time and financial support for several area schools, faith-based organizations, Martha Jefferson Hospital’s Women’s Committee and Marianne’s Room, orphanages in China and internationally. To expand our outreach program, we formed "Mission to Give 2015." This program encourages staff from Albemarle Dermatology Associates and Signature Medical Spa to nominate a charity or worthy cause each month.
In February, a check in the amount $500 was given to the Wat Opot Fund ($250 for the high school students’ bicycle fund and $250 for education). Wat Opot was nominated by Dr. Hannah Pearce after learning about the organization in a book called In a Rocket Made of Ice. The Wat Opot Community is a center in Cambodia that has cared for children and adults with HIV since 2001. With the help of anti-retrovirals in decreasing the need for hospice, the focus has moved to creating a good long life and education. Thank you, Dr. Pearce for bringing this worthy cause to our attention.
A check in the amount of $200 was sent to the WorldStrides’ Helping Hands Scholarship Program in March. Master Aesthetician, Linda Pitt, submitted this program for consideration after learning about it when her son started working at WorldStrides. This program allows students who wouldn’t normally have a chance to travel, the opportunity to take life-changing experiential trips. Recipients are nominated by teachers and must meet specific eligibility requirements. Linda recalled memories of educational trips as some of her fondest from her school days. Thank you, Linda for helping to make it possible for others to create fond memories.
There are many other organizations that benefit from the generosity of Dr. Straka and the practice.
Together, we can make a beautiful difference.