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Maria Torrence, LCSW, Bariatrics Surgery program, enjoys community service and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, she reached out to find a local cause where she could help.

“I came across the United Way website and saw that there were remote ways to support local groups,” Maria says. Helping remotely appealed to her.

Maria has been with UVA Health for five years, four of which were in outpatient Obstetrics/Gynecology, Primary Care Center, and Teen Health. She’s been with the bariatrics team for about a year.

She found The Haven, a multi-resource day center in Charlottesville. Its mission statement on their website, says the Haven “endeavors to end homelessness in the greater Charlottesville community.”

Because Maria is so active in the community and is involved in social work professionally, she knew of the facility. So, when she saw they needed hygiene packs, she rolled up her sleeves and began gathering items like deodorant, toothbrushes, soap, washcloths, laundry detergent pods, and toilet paper.

“I asked my team members to join me in my efforts and they did. They were very excited to help,” Maria says. One thing she did in launching her campaign in the office was to get a donation box from FedEx. “And it filled up quickly,” she says.

Maria delivered the items on Feb. 2. “When I dropped them off, they were super appreciative. They said they go through these kinds of items quickly.”

Maria dropped off about 20 bags full of hygiene products and a few stray extra items. “Now we know there’s such a need, we’ll do another drive later this year and collect even more.”