Approximately 200 gifts were distributed to residents of the Kane Regional Center in Scott Township during the PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® celebration on Dec. 20. The residents and staff at Kane Scott also enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus and a musical performance.

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 Prime Timers provided entertainment and Santa’s visit was a highlight of the afternoon.

“PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® has evolved into one of our most anticipated events of the year at Kane Scott,” said Marci Donovan, Kane Scott Recreation Therapy Supervisor. “The smiles on the faces of our residents and staff help ring in the holiday season. There are so many different people at our facility who join together to make this event a huge success. We certainly appreciate all the work by St. Barnabas and AARP.”

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 27th season, the program has grown to include facilities in five states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York and Tennessee.

The AARP had 40 volunteers involved in the event at Kane on Dec. 20. 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.