A cohort of healthcare professionals from Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital spent Tuesday, Aug. 4, delivering classroom supplies and donations to New Danville, the Willis-based nonprofit that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The hospital's Leadership Development Academy, a 12-month on-site program that mentors nurses and other staff for organizational leadership roles, chose New Danville as its charity partner for the current class year. Participants collected supplies for the nonprofit's day program, then drove out to present them over a breakfast celebration.
The group also toured classrooms.
During the visit, participants met with program members New Danville calls "Wranglers" and "Mavericks" and observed activities their donations will support, including art, computer training, culinary instruction and animal care, according to a report on Woodlands Online.
"Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center has been an important part of New Danville's story from the very beginning, and we deeply value the relationship we've built over the years," said Mike Painter, president and CEO of New Danville.
The academy has run annual cohorts since at least 2022. Recent classes have drawn between 14 and 18 participants from clinical and non-clinical roles, according to the hospital's FY23 nursing report. The specific number of participants in the current cohort and the dollar value of donations collected were not disclosed. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital is the leading healthcare employer in Montgomery County.
New Danville, founded in 2005, operates a rural campus where adults with disabilities participate in structured programming. In June, the organization launched an Amazon Wish List for classroom supplies, noting that items range from art materials to air compressors.
Painter said in a June 10 statement, when the nonprofit unveiled that wish list, that supporting classrooms "helps us continue to provide enriching programs that encourage independence, creativity, socialization, and confidence for the individuals we serve."
Residents interested in supporting New Danville's day program can find the Amazon Wish List on the organization's website at newdanville.org.
Upcoming community events
- Grace Woodlands Car Show: Free car show with $600 in cash prizes, Saturday, Aug. 8.
- LSC-Montgomery fall registration: Saturday walk-in sessions available for students enrolling at Lone Star College-Montgomery.
