City of Hope staff, students and other community members have a variety of choices when deciding how to spread cheer this holiday season.
The Adopt-A-Family program, for example, enlists employees to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families by donating toys, gifts and other items to adopted City of Hope families. The Department of Clinical Social Work runs the program.
“Adopt-A-Family is a win-win program for both patients and their families and City of Hope employees,” said Nellie Garcia, the department’s director. “Staff members are able to share their blessings with the patients and families and hopefully help bring some joy into the holiday season.”
All 56 families enrolled this year have been matched with departments and sponsors. However, gift cards for grocery stores, gas stations or retail stores such as Wal-Mart and Target are still needed for new patients who will arrive over the holidays.
Those interested in contributing to the Adopt-A-Family program may call Reina Martinez at ext. 62282 or e-mail her at remartinez@coh.org.
Additionally, City of Hope’s Hands-on-Harps program — in collaboration with the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center, the Hospitality Services Team and the Pink Links Women’s Cancer Group — is hosting a holiday party for patients and their families on Dec. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of City of Hope Helford Clinical Research Hospital.
Highlights will include music, refreshments, a free raffle drawing, a visit from Santa and a sing-a-long. Gift items are needed for the raffle drawing, including new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1 to 12 as well as filled gift baskets (no alcohol), portable music/media players, and gift cards to grocery stores and department stores for adult patients.
Those wishing to donate gifts may contact Jeanne Lawrence at ext. 63971 or e-mail her at jlawrence@coh.org. The deadline for donations is Dec. 14.
And lastly, the Division of Pediatrics needs toys all year long for City of Hope’s youngest patients, according to Tami Case, administrative director. “Although stuffed animals are not needed, as many patients are immunocompromised,” Case said, “items that are in high demand include Playstation 2 games (“E” and “T” rated only) for the pediatric inpatient unit, arts and crafts kits, activity and sticker books, board games and toy doctor kits for medical play.”
For a complete list of gift ideas, contact Case at ext. 68427 or by e-mail at tcase@coh.org.
