Alameda Health System (AHS) staff and medical staff came to together to bring holiday cheer to 91 diverse and deserving families this holiday season.
With prices soaring for food, fuel and gifts, staff contributions helped alleviate stress for AHS families who struggle to meet basic needs.
“Many of the families that walk through our doors are experiencing hardships and find it difficult to make ends meet and put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads,” said Jeanette Hernandez, Health Advocates Project Coordinator. “Having extra to provide gifts and holiday meals can really be a challenge. We continue to coordinate Adopt-a-Family because we believe no child should be left without a gift during the holidays.”
Hernandez said Adopt-a-Family is an annual program of AHS that has been led by Care Management for more than 27 years and this year it was coordinated by AHS Health Advocates. On December 9, 2022 selected families stopped by the Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus to pick-up gift cards from Santa in a drive-by giveaway.
“We are thankful to all AHS staff who contributed. Together we raised more than $25,000 in gift cards and brought a little holiday cheer to 325 individuals,” said Marco Hernandez, Health Advocate Program Coordinator.
He added that a patient expressed their gratitude for all those who donated and to the AHS caregivers who provide excellent care. The patient shared that it was his third year participating in the event as his family has been struggling and the pandemic has exacerbated the need. The patient added, “With your help, it’s a little easier.”
We give special thanks to Marco Hernandez for his role as Santa Claus this year.
For more information about Adopt-a-Family please contact Jeanette Hernandez at jeahernandez@alamedahealthsystem.org or Marco Hernandez at mahernandez@alamedahealthsystem.org.
