In December 2024, Epic Government, a leader in government staffing and healthcare solutions, once again demonstrated its commitment to creating meaningful impact beyond the workplace. Through its annual gift bag drive, the company brought comfort and joy to young patients and their families at Duke Children’s Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina. What started as one employee’s personal mission has grown into a company-wide effort that touches dozens of lives each holiday season.
A Personal Story That Sparked a Tradition
Jess Starzyk, an Epic Government team member, pioneered the gift bag drive in 2020, inspired by her own family’s journey. That year, Jess’s daughter was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a complex congenital heart defect that required multiple open-heart surgeries. While navigating life in the hospital, Jess recognized a need: many first-time parents, overwhelmed by medical crises, often lack access to essential items.
Motivated to ease the burden for others, Jess initiated the gift bag drive to provide families with essentials and comforting gifts. “The bags include items that new parents might not think to pack, along with age-appropriate gifts for babies, toddlers, and older children,” Jess explained. Today, the initiative benefits patients ranging from newborns to young adults up to age 22.
A Growing Impact
Since its inception, the gift bag drive has provided 36 bags annually—enough for both the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) and the Step-Down Unit at Duke Children’s Hospital. These units, consistently at full capacity, care for a particularly large population of newborns during the winter months.
“Knowing how much these families are going through, we want to make their hospital experience a little more manageable and their holiday season a little brighter,” Jess said. “The gifts and essentials we provide are simple, but the impact is heartfelt.”
A Collaborative Effort
Jess’s team at Epic Government has been instrumental in the success of the gift bag drive. Each year, colleagues rally to collect, organize, and deliver thoughtfully curated items. In 2024, employees from Epic Staffing Group’s other businesses joined the effort, significantly expanding the initiative’s reach.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people across our organization come together for this cause,” Jess shared. “Their support reminds me of the incredible power of teamwork.”
Adapting to Challenges
The annual drive coincides with flu and RSV season, a time when hospital security and health precautions are heightened. To ensure the safety of patients, families, and staff, the Epic Government team takes extra precautions. Rather than delivering the bags directly, they entrust them to Duke Children’s nurses—many of whom have cared for Jess’s daughter since birth.
“These nurses are not only experts in their field but also compassionate caregivers who truly understand the needs of these families,” Jess said. “It’s comforting to know the bags are in such capable hands.”
Epic Government: At the Heart of Community Care
Epic Government’s annual gift bag drive reflects its unwavering dedication to supporting the communities it serves. By addressing the specific needs of families navigating the challenges of pediatric healthcare, this initiative exemplifies the organization’s mission to deliver healthcare solutions with exceptional value, support mission success, and serve with purpose. With each passing year, the drive’s impact grows, touching more lives and reinforcing its purpose. It’s not just about delivering gift bags—it’s about creating a sense of connection and reminding families that they are never alone during difficult times.
Epic Government is a leading government staffing and healthcare solutions provider that focuses on delivering comprehensive services customized to each client’s unique needs to support mission objectives. We are driven to serve the active duty and veteran communities not only through our work, but also in our communities through veteran hiring initiatives, military spouse employment initiatives, and community involvement. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our mission areas.