The famous Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” takes on a whole new meaning each December as employees of LaSalle General Hospital conduct their largest community service project of the year.
Staff members, from CEO Lana Francis to nurses to food service technicians, spent Thursday afternoon, December 12, hosting their annual Christmas project where food and presents were given away to underprivileged families and children in the Jena area.
“This is our largest project of the year and it is fully employee- funded and conducted,” stated LGH RN Case Manager Kelli Tant, who helped oversee the distribution day. “LGH employees provide the funds necessary to do this project through payroll deductions and donations and then they take time to come out and work during the event. We all really enjoy it.”
Along with the employee contributions, the project was aided by donations from some local churches.
“This year, between $5-7,000.00 was spent to make sure some of our area’s families got to have the Christmas they deserve,” Tant said.
As part of the event, 164 children receive two gifts each and the 61 families of those children were given a free fried fish dinner and a box of groceries.
Santa Claus also made an appearance where he visited with the children as they drove through the distribution line at the public entrance in the rear of the hospital.
The hallway at the entrance was lined with boxes filled with groceries, presents and fish plates and a large number of employees assisted in bringing the items to the vehicles as they were given to the families and children.
“What makes leading LaSalle General Hospital so rewarding is seeing the compassion that our employees have,” CEO Francis said. “I’m proud of their love for each other, their community and the fact that this level of care is not just seen during Christmas but each and every day. To me, our employees are what makes the difference and this event is just another way they demonstrate their true character.”
Tant said that while employees fund the majority of the project, they are always willing to accept donations from other churches, businesses and individuals who would like to get involved.
“We are thankful that we were able to assist these 61 families and provide what we did, but we also know that there is more we can do,” she said. “The more money we can raise the more people we can help each Christmas.”
The annual LGH Christmas project is just another way La-Salle General Hospital is contributing to help make this year’s Christmas “the most wonderful time of the year” for many families who might not have a wonderful time without the hospital’s service.
If anyone would like to donate for next year’s event, contact Todd Fannin at (318) 992-9200.
