Johns Hopkins faculty and staff helped the 2015 Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-Senior Program and the Vernon Rice Memorial Holiday Turkey Program reach record success.
More than 470 family members, seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities, referred from partnering agencies, received assistance in the form of household supplies, toys, grocery gift cards, clothing, and much more.
In its sixth year of providing healthy food baskets to those in need, over 4,100 pounds of food was provided to more than 200 families for Thanksgiving and the December holidays.
To identify the recipients, the Office of Work, Life and Engagement partnered with senior housing facilities, several Baltimore City elementary/middle schools, an adult day care center, and a program supporting military veterans and their families facing homelessness. Most of the adopted families and individuals face a number of hardships, making it difficult for them to provide for themselves and their families, especially during the holidays. Yet, with an overwhelming display of kindness, members of the Johns Hopkins community added cheer to an otherwise challenging holiday season for them.
"It was truly inspiring to see the endless generosity of Johns Hopkins employees during the holiday season," says Kathleen Crostic, community programs manager in the Office of Work, Life and Engagement. "When picking up and delivering many of the gifts for the families and seniors, I often underestimated the amount of room I would need in my car. One department adopted a family who asked for very little, mostly necessities such as clothes and underwear. That department filled my entire car with gifts—the organization was shocked when I pulled up and said it was all for one family."
The Office of Work, Life and Engagement gives a heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped those in need during the holiday season.
Posted in Community
Tagged community, hr newswire
