Adopt a family project helps three families
Health Services of Coshocton and Lafayette Meadows, both divisions of Gentlebrook Inc., completed their “Adopt a Family” Christmas project with the help of the community. This year, funds exceeded expectations and the agency was able to help three families, each with small children. Contributed | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Health Services of Coshocton and Lafayette Meadows, both divisions of Gentlebrook Inc., completed their “Adopt a Family” Christmas project with the help of the community.
This year, funds exceeded expectations and the agency was able to help three families, each with small children. The recommendations came from elementary schools within the local districts and like so many, these families have fallen upon hard times. Tana Fischer, the director of nursing for Health Services of Coshocton, said there was an outpouring of generosity from local businesses, individuals, and families.
“The employees of Gentlebrook raise money throughout the year with interoffice fundraisers and 100 percent of that money goes back to the community,” Fischer said. “We keep the families completely anonymous and make arrangements to set up delivery with the guardians while the children are away. The joy that this project brings our employees each year is unmeasurable. One local grandmother reached out to us and wanted to entirely take care of one of our families in need, she told us it was a way to teach her grandchildren what Christmas is all about, giving. One family was in desperate need of a hot water tank and that need was fulfilled. With the help of so many, we were able to provide everything from Christmas morning breakfast, Christmas dinner and dessert, clothing, toys, bicycles, games, winter coats, tennis shoes and boots, hygiene products for the whole family and household cleaning essentials just to name a few. A local dentist donated a large bag full of toothpaste and toothbrushes and a hair salon donated their services for free haircuts. It’s unreal, just when we thought we were wrapping it up, more donations came in. The staff spent hours wrapping and preparing stockings for each child so they can wake up Christmas morning to their treasures under the tree. It’s really humbling to step back and watch an operation unfold such as this, when citizens of Coshocton know there is a need you can bet there will be action taken to relieve the burden.”
Health Services of Coshocton is a non-profit home health provider that serves Coshocton County. The following people and or businesses helped them complete their Christmas project: The Tammy Gore Family, The Laaper Family, Tractor Supply & Employee Families, Dollar Tree & Families, Shoe Dept. & Families, Buckeye Beverage Barn, Village Market, Anonymous, Fischer Funeral Home, Dr. Salman & Employees, Darcey’s Star Styles Beauty Salon, Health Services of Coshocton Employees, Lafayette Meadows Employees, Community Hospice Employees, and Nathan McNeal.
Category: People & Places
