Staff members at LIJ Forest Hills Hospital helped make the holidays brighter for 35 Queens families in need by fulfilling their wish lists Tuesday, Dec. 19 outside the hospital, located at 102-01 66th Rd. in Forest Hills.
Among the presents on the wish list that were fulfilled were toys, school supplies, backpacks and even a bicycle. The healthcare provider’s elves loaded up the presents outside the hospital that evening to distribute to local organizations as part of the hospital’s sixth annual “Adopt-A-Family” campaign.
Throughout the month of December, staff members from the hospital’s many departments buy gifts for families they “adopted” for the campaign. The names of the families are provided by faith-based and nonprofit organizations partnered with the hospital, including Our Lady of the Angelus/Resurrection Ascension Catholic Churches, the Chabad of Rego Park, Jamaica Muslim Center, the Rock Christian Church, Faith Assembly and La Jornada New York.
Tuesday’s event featured seasonal carols sung by team members at LIJ Forest Hills. Other staff members served hot chocolate to those in attendance. At one point in the evening, Santa Claus made an appearance to offer season’s greetings.
In addition to providing the gifts for these families, LIJ Forest Hills held a silent auction of gift baskets. The auction raised $1,500 for the 35 families.
“Each year this event gets bigger and reaches more of our community members in need,” LIJ Forest Hills Hospital Executive Director Lorraine Chambers Lewis, PA-C, said. “The diversity of organizations that we’ve partnered with are reflective of many in the Queens community and who we are at LIJ Forest Hills.”
