Cherry Hospital announces holiday jewelry sales, Christmas gift drives
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 19, 2008 1:46 PM
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Cherry Hospital, with decorations put up Monday and plans being made for upcoming holiday events.
Christmas at Cherry kicks off with drives to ensure the season is bright for patients -- through gifts they can both give and receive.
The first event, a holiday bazaar for patients, is planned for Friday, Dec. 5. The deadline for donations is Dec. 1.
The bazaar offers an opportunity for patients to do their own shopping for family and friends, said Tanya Rollins, special services director.
Items requested can be gently used or next-to-new. Suggested items needed include men's clothing only, in larger sizes only. Men's and women's shoes, pocketbooks, purses, men's wallets, DVDs (rated G or PG), stuffed animals and new toiletry items also are recommended.
Through Dec. 12, donations also are being accepted for gifts to be given to patients on Christmas morning.
"We're accepting all new-item donations or monetary contributions to help us provide gifts for every patient," Mrs. Rollins said. "Money is always wonderful, so we can shop for those special-sized items."
Specific items being requested this year include CD players, watches, phone cards, board games, gloves, toboggans, socks, men's and women's clothing, large sizes and above; toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant; and individually wrapped snacks such as raisins, chewing gum and fruit snacks.
But nothing in glass containers, advised Mrs. Rollins, who will have the task of shopping for the patients.
"It's time-consuming, but it's worth it," she said. "It makes the patients feel loved and special on Christmas Day. Our nursing staff plays a big part in that, because they're here on Christmas Day and they bring out the presents."
There are also other ways the public can participate in events during the holiday season, Mrs. Rollins said.
There will be two jewelry sales on the Cherry campus during December. The first will be on Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Royster building lobby. Items available will include sterling silver jewelry as well as handbags, scarves and watches, with proceeds going to Christmas at Cherry projects.
The other jewelry sale, featuring handmade pieces, will be Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the therapeutic center conference room.
Cherry's work therapy department is sponsoring its winter plant sale, featuring poinsettias and house plants, on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Royster lobby.
A Christmas tree sale is being added this year, beginning Nov. 24, in the greenhouse lot on campus. Fraser fir trees, 6- to 8-foot sizes will be sold weekdays from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
For more information on the plant and tree sales, call 731-3277.
The annual Christmas parade, held jointly with O'Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center, will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m. Entries are still being sought before the Dec. 5 deadline.
And then there is the chance to host or support a holiday party at Cherry.
"We invite groups that would like to sponsor a Christmas or holiday party -- patients love the opportunity to interact with community members -- to come out and bring the goodies and we'll help do the party together, or some groups prefer to give us money and we can go out and do the shopping for them in their name," Mrs. Rollins said.
Groups interested in providing a program also are encouraged to consider Cherry as an option. With its large chapel and 500-seat auditorium, there is plenty of space to host a chorus or band, handbell choir or to perform a drama or cantata.
Beyond that, support does not need to be limited to Christmas, Mrs. Rollins said.
"We love our volunteers at holiday time, but we have lots of different opportunities throughout the year," she said. "Patients like to be remembered at Easter time and other times throughout the year, so keep us in mind."
For more information on any of the Christmas events, or making a contribution, call special services at 731-3417.