This holiday season, Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health, upheld its tradition of community service and healing by supporting over 15,000 families across California with thousands of presents and food for the holidays. Through the collective efforts of employees, physicians, volunteers and community partners, Dignity Health provided 7,497 meals and delivered 17,042 holiday gifts to those in need.
“As health care workers, we have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve,” shares Julie Sprengel, president of Dignity Health’s California Region. “Many families we encounter struggle to afford basic necessities like clothing, shoes and food, let alone gifts for their children. For some, the gifts provided by Dignity Health are the only ones they will receive, and knowing we can spread humankindness beyond the walls of our hospitals during the holiday season is truly rewarding.”
In November and December, Dignity Health touched thousands of lives. From providing Thanksgiving meals to families in our communities and delivering holiday food boxes to multigenerational households, to organizing toy, coat and clothing drives that reached thousands of families, our employees and partners showed extraordinary generosity and commitment to fostering meaningful connections within our communities.
On the Central Coast, staff at Dignity Health facilities were busy helping meet the community’s needs. Arroyo Grande Community Hospital and Marian Regional Medical Center held a toy drive for 200 people in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Central Coast.
French Hospital Medical Center partnered with the Salvation Army to provide gifts for pre-teens and teenagers in San Luis Obispo County as part of its Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
Marian Regional Medical Center’s Street Medicine Program held a sock drive to benefit 200 community residents.
“Supporting our local communities is at the heart of everything we do,” said Sue Andersen, the President and CEO of Dignity Health’s hospitals on the Central Coast. “Our employees don’t just work here – they live here, raise their families here and embody our mission of spreading humankindness every day, whether they’re caring for patients at the bedside or volunteering in our communities. Their dedication to serving others is truly remarkable.”
Dignity Health is grateful to our health care workers maintaining essential services throughout the holiday period and ensuring continuous care for community members in need.