PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS Wraps Up Giving Season With a New Record

This holiday season, nearly 30,000 residents at long-term care facilities, nursing and personal care homes in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee were given a reason to smile thanks to PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS, a community outreach program that St. Barnabas Charities operates out of Richland Township. 

There was a victory celebration, which included a ceremonial last gift of the season, Dec. 21 at Patron Mexican Grill in Fox Chapel. Leo Rihn, a resident of , celebrated his 93rd birthday with singing and a delicious buffet of Patron favorites.

Since its inception in 1984,  has raised gifts and visits for more than 431,113 patients in the region. William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System, founded the program. Knowing that nursing homes and personal care homes can be lonely places, his goal is to put a smile on the face of a nursing home patient while introducing members of the community to their local long-term care facilities.

At the beginning of each campaign, patients were asked what they would like for Christmas. This information was then given to the individuals who “adopt” that patient. The patients were greeted with a gift and friendly visit during the holiday season.

In 2011, the 27th season of the campaign matched 27,482 residents at 322 long-term care facilities with a member of the community who personally delivered a gift.The figure represents a new record for the campaign. 

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