HRMC assists at Christmas

by MPC

Six years ago, Haywood Regional Medical Center abandoned the costly and time consuming practice of customizing and mailing cards to their 1,006 employees. Hospital administration earmarked the funds normally used on Christmas correspondence to help local families have a brighter Christmas.

One family received gifts from HRMC employees in the program’s first year, and this past Christmas season, 39 adults also received gifts totaling almost $1,900 in funds donated by HRMC and its employees.

Recipients of the gifts were screened by the Haywood County Department of Social Services and selected from the wish list tree for disabled or elderly adults located inside Wal-Mart. HRMC employee elves shopped for and wrapped gifts. The presents were delivered to D.S.S. a week before Christmas.

“I think it’s important for people in this area to know that the hospital and its employees are doing lots of little things to help the community,” said Jodi O'Neill, HRMC admitting supervisor. “This program has so much support, my phone started ringing in November with volunteers. I really appreciate the love and caring everyone puts into this.”

“In addition to helping other people, it’s amazing to see how the Christmas spirit affects the employees who do the shopping, wrapping and delivering of the gifts,” said Gary Arrington, HRMC Director of Human Resources.

More than 25 HRMC staff from various departments assisted with purchasing and wrapping the gifts, which are then delivered to DSS for distribution to the respective families. Participants this year included Jill Burnette, Beth Hill, Vickey Hooper, Debbie Knight, Ingrid Ledford, Barbara Miller, Anita Parks, Misty Shetley, Kelly Smith, Nancy Swanger, Joyce Trantham, Sally Hollifield, Anita Parks, Ancrea Clark, Jessica Campbell, Jodi O'Neill, Melissa Burnett, Bill Hall, Monique Crook, John Olivier, Amanda Parton, Debbie Dollinger, Sharon Brower, Shannon Barnes and Shirley Downey.

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