By Antonio Caro, Development Officer
Like you, we’ve been trying to make sense of these difficult times. Having to make extreme adjustments in our lives and priorities is no easy task – especially for people who are unemployed, uninsured, and unfamiliar with the complexities of the healthcare system. This is the unfortunate reality for many Mary’s Center participants. Now, more than ever, they rely on us to stay open.
Mary’s Center has incurred significant unexpected expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the investment and volunteerism of community champions like Greg Conroy and his team at OMNI Business Solutions, we have been able to keep our doors and phone lines open so our front line providers can deliver accessible medical care, COVID-19 tests, social support, and behavioral health services – regardless of our participants’ ability to pay.
This is Greg’s supporter story.
Greg Conroy, President of OMNI Business Solutions, first learned about Mary’s Center nine years ago through the Annual Golf Classic. He was invited by a Mary’s Center’s Golf Committee volunteer, Keith Burgess. “As I drove around the course with Keith,” said Greg, “ I got the opportunity to meet the Mary’s Center staff. From the start, I could feel their strong commitment to the mission and to the families they serve.”
He was hooked.
Having grown up in the DMV area, Greg wanted to get further involved with a community-based organization positively impacting the well-being and future of the region’s most at-risk families. So, he picked up the phone and volunteered his time to the Golf Committee.
As a committee member and eventual Golf Co-Chair, Greg connected Mary’s Center to numerous local businesses and leaders looking to align their brand with cause-driven organizations. His generosity and commitment helped Mary’s Center cover the care of over 7,000 uninsured families during his eight-year span of supporting our annual event. In addition to dedicating countless hours, Greg also began investing in Mary’s Center as a Golf Classic corporate sponsor.
“I believe in the cause. Compared to my involvement with other nonprofits, I invest 100 to 1 in both time and money to Mary’s Center. Seeing my support provide affordable care to individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access it empowers me and my staff. It’s important to invest in your local community – especially during this tough time.”
Standing with our community.
For the health and safety of all involved, Mary’s Center decided to cancel this year’s Golf Classic, which would have covered the care of approximately 1,000 uninsured patients. Once Greg got news of the cancellation, he decided to transfer OMNI’s support directly to our COVID-19 response efforts.
“Mary’s Center needs to stay on the front line during this crisis. Our local hospitals and thousands of families count on their services. That’s why OMNI decided to continue supporting the organization regardless of event cancellation,” said Greg. “Through our support, we want to inspire other companies to invest. Please, if you can, donate and invest. Your support makes a bigger difference now than it ever will.”
This week, Mary’s Center celebrated National Volunteer Week. Although we can’t see our many volunteers and partners like Greg and the OMNI team in person, we want to express our most sincere gratitude to each of you for your commitment to our community. Your support not only makes our work possible but also ensures that our providers can be there for our participants – especially during their greatest moment of need.
Click here to support our COVID-19 response efforts.