Each year the need among children in our community grows greater and each year Adena Health System’s caregivers step up to meet that need. Nearly 1,100 local children were presented to Adena’s annual Coats for Kids drive as being in need of a winter coat this year. Thanks to the generosity of Adena caregivers, every one of those 1,100 kids will have a new coat to keep them warm.
“Providing care within the communities we serve means more to Adena than just the services provided in our hospitals and clinics,” said Jeff Graham, Adena president and CEO. “There is a lot of need in our community. When those in need are children, we can’t help but to answer the call. Our caregivers take a lot of pride, and put their hearts into making the Coats for Kids drive a success every year. If we can help a child stay warm and give their parents peace of mind that this basic need is met, we’ve achieved our mission in caring for our community.”
Adena’s Coats for Kids program has become well-known throughout the region and has grown significantly since it began nearly 10 years ago. Need at that time was a few hundred coats for area children. This year, coats were purchased for children in all grades and some preschools at 28 schools in Ross, Pike, Jackson, Pickaway, Vinton and Hocking counties. Students are generally identified by teachers, principals, bus drivers and other school personnel who may know of a family’s financial situation or notice a child who may not have adequate outerwear to handle winter’s chill.
Coats are being delivered to the schools this week and next week.
Since the Health System began collecting coats in 2007, Adena’s caregivers have provided approximately 10,000 coats to children in its community through its Coats for Kids program. The coat drive is led by a team of nurses and other caregivers.
For more about Adena Health System and its services, visit adena.org or Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @adenamedical.
Submitted by Jason Gilham, communications manager, Adena Health System.
