Santa poses with Andrea Martinez and Emma Gilchrist during Holiday Party
I am one of those people that really enjoys the holiday season. Maybe it’s because I was born during the holiday season so in a way I was kind of a Christmas present myself. At the Mendocino Coast District Hospital, we celebrate the season in a number of different ways. Perhaps most importantly, it is a time when our employees give back to our community. Once again this year, our staff created a “Holiday Giving Tree.” 75 paper ornaments adorned the tree and each one represented a child or a parent in need of generosity to help make their holiday season a little brighter. Gift recipients are clients of local charitable organizations such as Project Sanctuary, the Youth Project and Safe Passages. The 75 ornaments were snatched up in a matter of days and all of the gifts have now been distributed. December is also when our Hospice Program holds it’s annual “Light Up a Life” fundraising event. Our generous community raised over $30,000 this year so that people in our community can have the benefit of hospice services with no cost to those who need the services.