Lori Gordon and her gang at Post Quarter Horses in Avella, Pennsylvania decided instead of exchanging gifts with each other this year, they would participate in the “Presents for Patients” program.
Since its inception in 1984, PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® has raised gifts and visits for more than 431,113 men and women in nursing and personal care homes in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Gordon contacted their headquarters which forwarded them a packet giving the name and address of their rest home and a stack of index cards each with a patient’s name, age, and gift list.
Fifteen of Gordon’s youth and amateur students as well Lori and her employees each got a card or “patient” to buy for.
“They didn’t ask for much. Pajamas, slippers, lotion, cookies, mostly the little comforts in life. We put their requested gifts in individuals bags and spray glittered their names on them,” Lori tells GoHorseShow.
Last Friday evening at 7 pm, they all met up at the rest home and visited each of the patients and presented them with their gifts.
“What an eye opener that was for me. Some of these people have no family or friends and these would be the only gifts they would be getting. They were so appreciative for a bottle of lotion or a sweater,” Lori says. “It really puts things into focus and perspective as to how blessed we all really are. I have always wanted to do this, and boy it felt great that a few small items and a few hours of your time really brightened someone else’s day and possibly their whole holiday.”
Post Quarter Horses is making it a tradition at their barn and they hope some others will consider doing it next year too!
The program was founded by William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System. 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.
To make a donation, please call 724-444-5521 or complete the PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® on-line form.
