From shopping for gifts to wrapping and delivering presents, more than 50 staff members of Ohio’s Hospice brought holiday cheer to 30 families as part of the annual Adopt-A-Family initiative. Ohio’s Hospice began its Adopt-A-Family initiative in 2011. Social workers identify families throughout the Southwest Care Region who are experiencing hardship, primarily due to the terminal illness of a loved one or loss of a job. 

Supervisors organized shopping teams. All staff were invited to shop or wrap. They purchased clothing, household items and toys for children and teens. Presents were wrapped on Dec. 18 at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Then, social workers delivered the gifts to the families throughout the Southwest Care Region.

April Goins, administrative assistant for patient/family support services leads the Adopt-A-Family initiative. “She did an excellent job this year,” said Lisa Balster, director of care, patient and family support services at the Pathways of Hope Grief Counseling Center of Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. “This is a huge effort.”