Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation has officially closed down Santa’s workshop for the 2016 holiday season.
“Thanks to the enormous support from of this year’s “Give for a Better Day” holiday drive, the foundation was able to distribute gifts to more than 450 children and teens going through treatment over the holidays,” reported Linda Schieble, special events coordinator at Rogers Foundation who headed up the drive. Overall, 38 individuals, schools, community organizations and businesses participated in the drive.
The most popular gifts were gift cards, mindfulness coloring books, puzzles, fuzzy socks, scented lotions and art supplies. As one of the program managers told us,
“The kids were all very grateful, and I even heard a few kids say that this is the best place ever, which are statements we don’t typically hear!”
Another manager said,
“Thank you SO much! This truly made our patients’ Christmas better being here.”
When it came to recruiting participants and collecting the gifts, it was truly a team effort. A special thank you to the holiday drive committee, consisting of Rogers’ staff and area community members: Ann Knudsen, Erika Smith, Sarah Weiland and Stacie Young.
Pictured: Morgan Aghjian, residential counselor at the FOCUS Adolescent program, gets ready to deliver presents to the teens going through treatment over the holiday weekend.
Next up: May is National Mental Health Awareness Month
While the holidays are an especially critical time, we would be happy to assist you with a “Give for a Better Day” drive anytime of the year. If you are part of a civic organization, or if you have a friend or family member who owns a business, a coping skills drive is an excellent way to help patients at Rogers fill their emotional toolkit with small, but effective, therapeutic items. Contact Linda Schieble or go to MyRogers for details.
