Letter from Adena Health Foundation Director, Robin Berno

When that gift meets a basic fundamental need, however, the reaction is priceless.

Since 2007, employees of Adena Health and the Adena Health Foundation have put their love on display for the children of our communities to meet one of those fundamental needs. Working in conjunction with several area school districts, Adena Health’s Coats for Kids program has provided more than 14,300 winter coats to students identified as being in the greatest need during the coldest months of the year.

The reactions of those who otherwise may have gone without is what makes the program priceless. Take, for instance:

• One little girl who was so excited to receive her coat that she told her teacher she would sleep in it that night, allowing her brother to use the available blanket.
• The response of a 16-year-old who cried when receiving her coat, saying nobody had ever bought her anything that nice.
• An entire group of classmates who wore their new coats at recess despite some unseasonably warm early winter weather simply because they were so excited to receive them.

These are just a few of the countless stories of young lives that have been touched by the program. There are many others waiting for theirs to be told. 

That’s where you can help.

Each year, the list of student names submitted in hopes of receiving a new coat for the holidays continues to grow – hitting more than 1,340 a year ago. Adena Health employees play Santa for the majority of those requests, many stepping up to purchase a coat or two or three to donate to the program. As the numbers have grown, however, the ability to meet the need becomes more and more challenging.

With your generous donation in support of the program, you can help us ensure that no child on those lists will spend the winter months shivering at the bus stop or trying desperately to find warmth on the walk to school. You will help families across our region enjoy a brighter Christmas season, and you will stand alongside us as proud partners in caring for the overall health of our families, friends and neighbors.

Donate

To contribute to this worthy effort, simply follow this link: https://www.adena.org/foundation/donate-now. In the drop down, choose, Coats for Kids. 

Yes, the smile on a child around the holidays is priceless. When you’re the one who put it there, however, it’s the ultimate gift of the season.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Robin L. Berno

Director, Foundation

Adena Health