TITLE: Recognizing Lifeline Chaplaincy for its hospital ministry work.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Lifeline Chaplaincy for its hospital ministry work.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Lifeline Chaplaincy for its exceptional hospital ministry work; and WHEREAS, A ministry of the Church of Christ, Lifeline Chaplaincy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to the seriously ill and their families and caregivers and to being an educational resource for crisis ministry; and WHEREAS, Lifeline Chaplaincy traces its roots to the charitable work of Marie Banister, who in 1968 began visiting the children's ward at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; she became known as "The Pillow Lady" after she began bringing small, handmade pillows to the children; and WHEREAS, Today, the organization employs five full-time chaplains and has a great number of committed pastoral care volunteers who serve in hospitals across the state; its many programs include the Soft Touch Ministry, which draws on the inspiration of Marie Banister's work to create and deliver handmade pillows, lap robes, cancer caps, and other specialty items to patients; and WHEREAS, Another key Lifeline Chaplaincy program is Compassionate Touch, which is dedicated to providing emergency short-term resources to hospital patients and caregivers; the program grew out of Lifeline Chaplaincy's long-standing close relationships with hospital social services personnel, who work directly with the organization to coordinate help for those in need, and it now serves more than 2,000 patients and families each year; and WHEREAS, Compassionate Touch provides one-time funding for such immediate expenses as hotels, food, parking, travel, and utilities, usually within 48 hours, and without bureaucratic delays; assistance is provided irrespective of a patient's race, gender, type of injury or illness, age, ethnicity, geographical origin, or religious preference, and the organization has disbursed $2.5 million since its inception in 1997; and WHEREAS, Lifeline Chaplaincy also offers a range of workshops and seminars to train church leaders and pastoral care volunteers to help patients and families in crisis; it is truly fitting that this outstanding organization receive special recognition for offering support and comfort to those who need it most; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby commend the staff and volunteers of Lifeline Chaplaincy on their commitment to providing care and support to hospital patients, their families, and their caregivers and extend to them best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for this exceptional organization as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Watson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 22, 2017.