For Immediate Release

Lamplight Delivery of Care Kits to Frontline Workers at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s on 200th Anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s Birth

100 Care Kits Donated by Community Members and Poshabodes

Milwaukee (April 23, 2020) – To mark the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and the final day of National Nurses Week, 100 Care Kits are being delivered by lamplight to frontline workers at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee on Tuesday, May 12 at dusk. The 100 Care Kits are a gift from grateful individuals in the local community, the Business Health Care Group and Poshabodes, a Milwaukee-based business that specializes in luxury vacation rental management.

Nightingale was born in 1820 and is recognized as the founder of modern nursing. She promoted hygienic health standards and handwashing to reduce the spread of infection. She was known for her night-time rounds to aid the wounded, establishing her image as the “Lady with the Lamp.”
“In terms of modern nursing, her legacy has never been so relevant, as she was a pioneer for sanitation, hygiene and had a monumental impact on infection control. She focused mainly on improving hygiene for nurses, advising them to wash their hands regularly. Before this, nurses were not changing their uniforms or aprons, instead continuing to work with the same equipment, which she believed to be incredibly unhygienic,” said Kristin Buhnemann, assistant director at the Florence Nightingale Museum.
“Just like today’s nurses, Nightingale risked her life to help others, and I believe she would be incredibly proud of the current healthcare workers.” 1
Poshabodes worked with local small businesses, who themselves are struggling in a challenging economy, to curate a collection of self-care items to donate to health care professionals. The 100 Care Kits, which include 15 items, valued at nearly $150, are intended to pamper and provide a little stress relief. The Kits will be given to the medical staff who work the second and third shifts in the Acute Care and Women’s Units at the hospital.
“These Care Kits are to say ‘thank you’ to hospital workers who’ve been giving of themselves so selflessly these past months. We’ve been overwhelmed with the support from individuals in the community as well as the generosity of the Business Health Care Group in purchasing and donating these Kits,” says Jennie Korth, co-founder and CEO of Poshabodes. “It seems only fitting to deliver the kits on a day that honors Florence Nightingale and the invaluable role nurses play.”
On April 27, Poshabodes funded and delivered 250 Care Kits to the medical staff at Aurora Sinai Medical Center. The 250 Care Kits were enough to cover all shifts in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and one additional area that works with COVID-19 patients.
Prior to sourcing the kits, Poshabodes surveyed health care workers to determine what items they would appreciate the most. A washable laundry bag to store and transport their clothes after a shift was a top request by many. Another was on-the-go, pocket-sized snacks for a quick boost of energy and nourishment.
“Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital is very grateful for this generous donation,” said Kelly Elkins, hospital president, Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital. “Our nurses, doctors, caregivers and associates have devoted significant time and effort to safely and effectively care for patients and their families during this unprecedented time. Their courage and dedication are inspiring.”
1 https://www.itv.com/news/2020-05-08/how-florence-nightingale-shaped-the-way-modern-nurses-are-tackling-coronavirus/
When & Where: Tuesday, May 12, 7:15 p.m.
A group of Poshabodes families holding lanterns will deliver the Care Kits to Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee. In addition, Jeff Kluever, executive director of the Business Health Care Group and first identified COVID patient in metro Milwaukee, and other families who contributed to purchase Care Kits will join the Poshabodes families for the delivery.
The delivery includes a Thank You board with notes from individuals who purchased Poshabodes Care Kits for donation to frontline health care workers.
MEDIA NOTE: Out of respect for patient privacy and to maintain social distancing, we are asking the media to remain on the public sidewalk outside of the hospital.
Care Kit Elements Locally Sourced
The Poshabodes Care Kit contents include the following local products, among others:

Poshabodes BackgroundAs passionate travelers, Jennie Korth and Rose Nelson, the co-founders of Poshabodes, have experienced it all – from the best of vacation experiences to some miserable ones, all heavily influenced by the quality of the lodging and services provided. Their mixed bag of experiences is what led them to found Poshabodes.

Poshabodes is a women-owned business that specializes in luxury vacation rental management. The company was established to create a trusted brand that consistently delivers luxury to the world of vacation home sharing.

Poshabodes’ careful oversight and optimized marketing helps homeowners achieve peace of mind and reap the benefits of turning their home into a business. And, guests can rest assured that they will walk into a supremely clean and luxuriously appointed property, if it bears the Poshabodes name.

Prior to the coronavirus, Poshabodes launched in southeast Wisconsin at the beginning of this year and plans a full-scale launch in Wisconsin and other markets when it’s safe to do so.

# # #