Nurses Give Care During the Holidays

The care nurses give often goes well beyond what takes place at the bedside. This is especially true during the holidays.

One example is the community outreach program organized by nurses throughout Lehigh Valley Health Network to help deserving families during the holidays. With the help of the social workers, families of all sizes and types write their gift wish lists. These families are matched with a unit from LVHN that wants to make their wish list a reality.  Staff members purchase new toys, games, electronics, clothes, bikes, baskets of food, gift cards and household items and festively wrap them for each family.  This year there was even a twin-size bed for one lucky toddler!

The gifts are delivered to a central location at Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th St., where the community practices are located.  The families come to collect their gifts and share some holiday cheer (cookies and punch) with nurses who volunteer their time to play Santa’s elves.  The joy and excitement when the families see the generosity of the LVHN staff is the perfect reward for all involved with this annual project.

I am very fortunate to facilitate this annual community outreach program and each year I am humbled by the generosity of my LVHN colleagues.  It truly reminds me of what the holiday season is all about and how much today’s nurses care for the families in our community.