MADISON – Caring for others in the North Alabama area is a day-by-day task for everyone at Madison Hospital. Now, after the devastation that Hurricane Harvey has delivered, hospital employees are reaching out a few miles further to help the people of Texas.

Madison Hospital employees have been donating supplies and cash in its “Help for Houston” campaign. Hospital volunteers, members of the Women’s Council and residents also contributed to the drive.

“The news coming out of the Houston area regarding the historical floods is heartbreaking, to say the least. The devastation will take years for successful recovery,” Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright said.

“One of our former Huntsville Hospital executives, Chuck Stokes, is now the CEO for Memorial Hermann Hospital, and two of his hospitals have been evacuated. Chuck was the Chief Operations Officers at Huntsville Hospital several years,” Wright said. “This has special meaning to me personally, because Chuck is my former boss, mentor and friend.”

“In true Madison Hospital spirit, I asked that we start a collection of essential items that have been requested by the Red Cross. We will participate with Huntsville Hospital in getting the supplies delivered to Houston,” Wright said.

To-date, employees have donated about $600 with more donations coming in daily. Donations have included baby food, formula, diapers, baby wipes, non-perishable and canned foods, bottled water, Gatorade, sports drinks, 30-gallon white garbage bags, large outdoor leaf/lawn bags, 25-foot electrical extension cords, bug spray and paper products.

Three large linen carts, measuring about four feet in width and five feet tall, are filled with donated items. Madison Hospital is not collecting clothes.

“The family members at Madison Hospital are caring, compassionate and giving people. We wanted to collect supplies that are essential to daily living and will probably be hard to come by,” Wright said. “We never know when we might be in need, and I would like to think that other hospitals would reach out and support our community.”

In other relief support, individuals can donate $10 to American Red Cross. Text HARVEY to 90999.

For more information about Madison Hospital, call 256-265-2012 or visit madisonalhospital.org.