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Melrose Priority

The Melrose Greatest Needs Fund supports equipment, program and service expansion needs as they emerge allowing us to provide the highest quality care to our patients locally. Some examples include Pediatric Rehab equipment, ultrasound table, books for the Reach Out & Read program, the Medical Legal Partnership, patient transportation, clothing and medications for patients in need.


Todd Lemke, Pharmacist, CentraCare – Paynesville and Melrose

Why I Give ...

Todd Lemke

I give to the Employee Campaign because I see the impact of my giving every day in my work life. I know if each of us didn’t play a part that couldn’t happen.

We all recognize that medications can be expensive, but necessary. That often puts people who need medication but cannot afford it in a bind. Thanks to employee and community giving, our pharmacy can provide necessary medication to those patients in need until other programs can help them. These funds have kept people out of the emergency room or hospital and may have even saved lives thanks to employee campaign gifts.

Patient confidentiality doesn’t allow me to share all the stories about when we have used donated dollars to pay for a medication for someone who had to decide between spending limited funds on medication or their food and rent. These individuals are always so grateful. I want employees to know how their gifts to the Employee Campaign are helping those in need.

The Employee Campaign is a way employees can make a difference. A gift of any size when pooled together with other employees’ donations can make a big impact. Whether it is funding the pediatric therapy space in Melrose or the Read Out & Read program, we are making life better for the community that supports us.

I give to the campaign because I am part of a community. It’s easy to have a job, take the paycheck home and not give anything in return. I recognize that it is the community that comes to our clinics, hospitals and uses our services. It is the community that really pays my paycheck and makes sure I have a job to support my family. It makes sense for me to support that community.