Santa Claus visits the John Kane Center in Scott Township as part of the Presents for Patients event.

Approximately 100 residents of the Kane Regional Center in Scott Township participated in the PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS^® celebration on Dec. 16, with each receiving a gift while enjoying a visit from Santa Claus.

PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS^® is a community outreach program operated by St. Barnabas Charities in Gibsonia. St. Barnabas partners with the AARP during the programs at each of the four Kane Regional Centers.

The goal of the PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS^® program is to match each resident with a gift and a visitor. The group Primetimers provided entertainment and Santa’s visit was a highlight of the afternoon.

“PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS^® is a much-anticipated event enjoyed by all of our residents, staff and the volunteers who make it happen,” said Marci Donovan, Kane Scott Recreation Therapy Supervisor. “We appreciate all the work by St. Barnabas and AARP. Seeing our residents’ smiles makes this an even more special event.”

Founded in 1984 by St. Barnabas Health System president William V. Day, the mission of PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS^® is to brighten the holidays for long-term care residents by matching them with a visitor from the community who brings a gift. Now in its 26^th season, the program has grown to include facilities in five states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York and Tennessee. This goal of this year’s campaign is to provide gifts to 27,012 residents in 315 facilities. Since its inception, the campaign has provided gifts to 376,602 patients.

The AARP had 40 volunteers involved in the event at Kane on Dec. 16. The AARP has participated in the PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS^® at Kane since 2003.

For more information, contact Marci Donovan, Kane Scott Recreation Therapy Supervisor,at 412.429.3163.