Sheryl Edwards is a Board Member of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Long Island. The Hempstead resident, who works in banking, also serves as the Finance Chair of the Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD). ERD, the entity of The Episcopal Church that administers the trust funds and other sources of funding the ECW receives, meets yearly to review grant applications.

Sheryl’s involvement with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital/Episcopal Health Services, Inc. (EHS) began nearly five years ago through her work with ERD on a grant for EHS. From there, she joined the hospital auxiliary. Shortly after, she was asked to join the newly formed St. John’s ICARE Foundation Advisory Committee. Established in 2021, the ICARE Foundation benefits and supports the charitable and educational activities of EHS. “The Foundation and EHS do such good work,” Sheryl explains. “Adopt-a-Family and all the other programs help many people in many different areas of the Rockaways. So many, from babies to adults, come to the different programs.”

Sheryl participated in three Giving Tuesday crowdfunding events, starting with the campaign to raise money for the purchase of BiliSoft Phototherapy equipment for treating newborns with jaundice. She cites this campaign as “close to my heart,” due to a personal experience involving one of her own children. In the 2021 Giving Tuesday crowdfund, Sheryl raised money for Maternal Health Doula Care Services, and the next year, participated in the crowdfund to launch the Healing2Music Program. The monthly, one-hour program features live performances in the hospital lobby and is designed to bring the healing power of music to patients, their families, and staff.

Sheryl is happy to give her time and efforts to these programs, believing, “every bit helps.” Often, a “small” ask results in an overwhelming response, as Sheryl found out. “When we needed 10 tins of cookies for a program, I shared this on my Instagram, and we got 100. People are just waiting for you to point them to a good cause.” She explains how, many times, people want to give, but may not be sure where to search for a cause; what to look for. “I know it's important to be cautious where a donation is going, so a personal recommendation goes a long way in assuring a charity’s legitimacy.” She is amazed at the responsiveness in getting so many things done or obtaining items needed. When a call goes out for something, it seems “by the next day, it’s there.” Sheryl feels her contributions are valued and credits the leadership at ICARE and EHS for keeping everyone motivated, for their willingness to listen and revise where needed.

Through her connection with ICARE, Sheryl’s’ awareness of hospital programs and services has continued to expand. “I’ve never heard of anything like the pharmacy program.” Sheryl is referring to the Pharmacy Fund, supported through the efforts of ICARE, the hospital auxiliary and hospital’s pharmacy, that assists patients who have little or no insurance with medication co-pays. She commends the steady outreach of the mobile health unit in bringing healthcare services right into the community.

Inspired by her previous fundraising successes, Sheryl admits feeling a bit apprehensive when starting her first crowdfunding experience. After some thought, she simply reached out to her immediate circle—her church, people on her vestry, the ECW, and her family. “I didn’t worry about meeting any goals, just shared it with everybody I knew. I focused on telling everybody what a good program it is, and emphasized how any amount would help.” After sending out initial emails and sharing on her social media, she expressed how pleased she was when the campaign, “just took off on its own,” adding, “What I find is, if you get excited about something, a lot of people will get excited too.” Recalling a recent fundraising event where incentives like hospital-themed socks and mugs encouraged participants’ efforts, Sheryl says, “A little friendly competition works as well.”