By Caroline Moore

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! The holidays are now upon us and we would like to share the exciting upcoming events we have planned for the next few weeks.

The hospital is planning a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings for patients and their family members in the Dayroom on Thursday, November 28 at 12 p.m. These guests will enjoy this special holiday meal with festive table centerpieces donated by the HUGS Auxiliary.

The Department managers are working together to present a float in Pomeroy Chamber Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 30 at 5 p.m. The theme will be “Santa’s Elf in Distress” depicting a Santa’s Workshop on one side of the float and the “North Pole Hospital” on the other side with an elf needing medical assistance. The maintenance department is currently re-constructing this from the material that was used for the Fair’s float earlier this year. Several “hospital elves” and their families are planning to attend the evening’s festivities.

Every year we enjoy putting together the annual Christmas Party. Patients and visitors can enjoy the festivities in the Dayroom on December 20 from 2–4 p.m. There will be cookies, hot chocolate and eggnog, music and fun.

In keeping with the Christmas Party, this year we will be doing things a little bit different and would like to inspire more community involvement for our patients who are with us year-round. We are introducing a “Senior Secret Santa” program and will have a Christmas tree displayed by the front lobby of the hospital, next to the Physical Therapy Department. On the tree will be a list of individual items that our seniors have requested.

We invite any patient’s family member, community member, or staff member to consider being a Santa to one of our seniors and show your support. Fulfill their wishes and bring an unwrapped or wrapped gift to the nurses’ station with a tag from our Secret Santa Christmas tree. We appreciate for your generosity in the past years and ask for your continued support in spreading cheer and making their Christmas extra special.

Because we are a hospital, we have certain guidelines that we have to follow so we ask that no devices be brought in that require an electrical outlet, no candles or wax warmers, and no strong scents or powders be purchased for our patients. If you are interested in volunteering for one of these holiday events, please contact the hospital at 509-843-1591 or stop by the Human Resources Department for details how you can donate your time for a worthy cause.

From all of us at the hospital district, we wish you a joyous and safe Thanksgiving holiday!