In her 15 years with HealthPartners, Dana Lowery Bain has taken an active role in volunteering and donating to her organization and community – and along the way, inspiring her family and colleagues to do the same.
“It’s important for me to show my co-workers and especially my kids how easy it can be to help others,” she said. “There are so many needs on so many different levels. If you look, it’s not hard to find an area where you can be of great assistance. And you never know how your help can really heal others’ needs.”
Dana and family have volunteered at numerous community events, including those for the United Way, American Heart Association, Pride Parade, Race for the Cure and more. Currently they donate food and supplies at a hotel that offers food shelves, creating teachable moments along the way for her children, who are learning about the needs of the homeless firsthand.
At HealthPartners, where she is a senior administrative assistant, Dana heads up the employee giving campaign in her department. She volunteers at numerous company events.
Giving locally is a priority for Dana, who says, “Volunteering and donating have allowed me to heal a part of my heart that saw so much need in my communities growing up. I couldn’t help then, but I can now. I made a personal promise to myself that I would definitely help when I could. Not if, but when. I try to help others to understand that as well.”
Inspiration comes full circle
Growing up in Orlando, Fla., Dana learned about philanthropy early on from her mother.
“I’ve believed in giving since I was a little girl,” she said. “Watching my mom donate her time and money through her church and community to help those in need. That was a good picture for me to see — I hold it close. I try to teach my kids to do the same thing. I try to bring my colleagues along. My passion for it and making it fun helps them to jump on the bandwagon.”
During the pandemic, Dana has been especially aware of the need. But she sees this time as “an opportunity to open everyone’s eyes and hearts to be able to help our community and help even people we don’t know get to a better place.”
According to Dana, “A quote that I’ve always loved is ‘Philanthropy and generosity is really the love of human kind.’ For me, philanthropy and generosity go hand in hand. It’s the active and motivating effort to promote human welfare. The power of giving is the unwritten hope that is felt by those in need. … Sometimes, you may not know how powerful your gift is because you don’t get to hear about it, but seeing the change in some and happiness in others is proof that giving means more than you realize.”
Donating to your passion
If you’d like to join Dana in giving, consider making a donation to a HealthPartners foundation. Your gift of any amount will make a difference in the lives of our patients and community!
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