“Doodles for Donations”

Local high school student launches imaginative crowdfunding campaign to support Open Door.

“A nation cannot claim economic, technological, and moral leadership when its own citizens are dy­ing due to a lack of affordable care.”

These words could be attributed to a U.S. President, but 16-year-old Sumer Moudgill wrote them in an article titled “Answering Corona’s Call,” published by the award-winning Greeley Tribune, Summer 2020 issue. The civic-minded student thoroughly explored the topic of health inequities and recommended steps to ameliorate some of America’s longstanding public health issues. However, as the pandemic unfolded, Moudgill began to see the disproportionate impact on local families and vulnerable community members who faced the heart-wrenching choice between paying for their groceries or seeking critical medical care.

His growing realization prompted him to answer the call to help and inspire others to get involved, specifically in the areas of health care access and food insecurity.

Moudgill’s sense of social responsibility, along with his unique talent for abstract doodling, sparked the launch of “Doodles for Donations” – an imaginative crowdfunding campaign to help provide supplemental food and affordable health care services to local families.

Through the campaign’s Indiegogo site, Moudgill sold his distinctive art doodles printed on notecards and t-shirts, with 100% of the proceeds less costs donated to the Open Door Family Medical Center and the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry.

Between May and November 2020, Sumer spent over 200 hours on “Doodles for Donations,” designing the campaign site, connecting and negotiating with merchandise vendors, identifying potential contributors, managing orders, and expanding the reach of the campaign.

“Doodles for Donations” surpassed Moudgill’s campaign goal, raising over $1,100. In addition to the financial support he provided to the two organizations, Sumer eloquently raised awareness by posting several updates about his art and his passion for reducing health disparities in our local communities. More so, he promoted the healing aspects of doodling to reduce stress and anxiety and improve one’s focus and well-being.

Thank you, Sumer!

About Open Door Family Medical Center and Foundation
Open Door Family Medical Center provides health care and wellness programs to individuals and families in need throughout Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster Counties. A pioneer Federally Qualified Health Center, Open Door provides more than 300,000 patient visits annually and serves 63,000 individual patients who might not otherwise have access. Open Door offers integrated services and a holistic approach to building healthier communities. Primary medical care, dental care, integrated behavioral health care, clinical nutrition, wellness programs, and chronic disease management are the foundation of its clinical programs. Founded as a free clinic in 1972, Open Door’s mission of building healthier communities through accessible, equitable, culturally competent health care has led to site and service expansions. Today, Open Door operates centers in Brewster, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, Ossining, Port Chester, and Sleepy Hollow, in addition to nine School-Based Health Centers in the Port Chester, Webutuck, and Ossining School Districts, a mobile dental van in Mount Kisco, and a dental practice in Saugerties, NY. Open Door is accredited by the Joint Commission and is recognized by the National Committee on Quality Assurance as a Patient-Centered Medical Home. Open Door achieves clinical results that consistently surpass national benchmarks for patient outcomes. For additional information, please contact Elisabeth Gilbert, Senior Director of Development, at 914-502-1417.

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