Sharing the season

Ozarks Healthcare blesses families in need

Ozarks Healthcare employees brightened the lives and holidays of people in the community through the annual Adopt-A-Family program.

Working alongside Ozark Action, a local nonprofit, OZH departments adopted families to provide holiday essentials and gifts where there might otherwise have been none.

“The families’ backgrounds were kept anonymous to OZH staff,” said Brittany Simers of the OZH Public Relations Department. “Families needed help while facing challenges such as financial difficulties, illness, or escaping abusive situations.”

Simers, who co-chaired this year’s event with her departmental colleague Melody Hubbell, said approximately 25 families were adopted by various OZH departments. Families were matched with departments based on size.

Departments also donated decorated Christmas trees, which were entered into OZH’s annual Christmas Tree Contest, and most purchased gifts for their adopted families. While gifts for children were prioritized, some departments also included presents or gift cards for parents.

On December 11, OZH security and plant operations collected the unwrapped gifts and decorated trees to deliver to Ozark Action, which coordinated distribution to the families.

Between 900 and 1,000 employees participated in the holiday tradition, which Simers said blessed the givers as much as the recipients.

“It was very rewarding to know we helped make Christmas brighter for those in dark situations,” Simers said.