The holiday season brings with it mixed emotions for many — the joy of celebrating life with loved ones, as well as the sadness of remembering loved ones no longer here. In honor of the great wealth of community shared throughout Miami County, we’d like to share this heartwarming story.

Lisa Kendall Maxon understands community synergy.  Four years ago it helped her heal.  Today she harnesses it to help others in hospice care.

In 2011 at age 29, Lisa was diagnosed with Leukemia. Her life suddenly shifted from busy fulltime mother and wife to stem cell transplant survivor at The James Cancer Center.  Over months of treatment and recovery, Lisa found support from a community that embraced her in her fight.  Now she leads the community’s Operation Christmas Cheer effort, which provides Christmas Trees to every patient in the care of Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County.

“This community surrounded me with support during my illness and continues to do so with Operation Christmas Cheer.  It’s amazing.  It’s organizations and individuals coming together to spread the spirit of celebration across the community.  Almost everyone who receives a tree has a story or a smile to share.  It gives us so much joy and satisfaction when we deliver them.”

It’s a community synergy that brightens the holidays for every one involved, and warms the coldest of December days.