Inspired by the community support she received while in the hospital as her children battled cancer, nurse Rachel McGonigle started Compassion United Havertown to help others in similar situations, reports Matteo Iadonisi for 6abc.
“It was 2017, and two of my children were diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the same time,” said McGonigle. “We really didn’t have a lot of people that could support us at that time, and so I went to Facebook, and I said, ‘I need help with Easter baskets because I’ve been at the hospital with my children.’”
Many people responded with offers of gift cards, dinner, gardening supplies, and so much more.
“Our community rose up,” said McGonigle.
So in order to pay it forward, she recruited a network of neighbors to help other families in need, which eventually turned into the Compassion United Havertown nonprofit.
The nonprofit helps families with anything they might need at the moment when they are busy dealing with health issues, including lawn care, errands, housekeeping, and much more.
“Our mission is to help local families that are going through temporary hardships,” said McGonigle. “We go into people’s homes and we try to say ‘Hey, what do you need?’”
Watch the entire segment at 6abc.
