Subaru honors employees at Cooper with gift cards, thanking them for efforts during pandemic

Cooper University Health Care and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper have done a lot to help the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, they got a special care package from one of their neighbors in Camden, Subaru of America Inc.

Nearly 950 team members in the environmental services, food and nutrition, transport, security and maintenance departments, along with staff members at MD Anderson at Cooper, received a care package containing numerous gift cards to local retail stores and restaurants, as well as transportation vouchers.

George Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper board of trustees, said the organizations appreciated the recognition. He said it spoke well of the resurgence in the city.

“Subaru’s generosity to Cooper employees is another great example of how the city’s revitalization continues to benefit Camden residents,” he said. “I know everyone at Cooper thanks them for these gifts and for being a great neighbor.”

Cooper co-CEO Kevin O’Dowd agreed.

“Our neighbor Subaru’s continued generosity to our Cooper team and our patients is very encouraging, and we are especially grateful for their recognition of the unsung heroes during this pandemic — our support services teams,” he said.

In addition to the care bundles, the Subaru representatives, in partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, delivered handwritten “messages of hope” and blankets that will be given to cancer patients at MD Anderson at Cooper to provide warmth, inspiration and encouragement.

Subaru has made numerous donations to Cooper over the years. (Cooper University Health Care)

Through Subaru Loves to Care, the health-focused philanthropic pillar of the Subaru Love Promise vision, Cooper has been the recipient of numerous charitable donations. The Cooper EMS program has received support of four vehicles from the automaker since 2015.

As part of this ongoing initiative, Subaru, in conjunction with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, has also donated blankets and messages of hope to cancer patients and their families at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper for four consecutive years. Subaru has also supported other initiatives at Cooper over the years, including funding for community programs, the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, the Cooper Foundation’s Pink Roses Teal Magnolias event for women’s cancer, and the Camden Health & Athletic Association.

Sheila Gallucci-Davis, senior vice president, general counsel, corporate responsibility and philanthropy at Subaru of America, said the company is happy to honor others.

“Subaru Loves to Care is about helping those in our communities stay as healthy as possible, and we are honored to celebrate our fellow Camden neighbors for the many things they do to further that goal,” she said. “The support team members at Cooper University Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper are behind the scenes making sure everything at the hospital is running smoothly and safely, and we thank them for all they have done and continue to do for our community.”