Valley Health Systems, Holyoke Medical Center Fulfill Holiday Wishes

HOLYOKE — Employees across 46 teams of Valley Health Systems (VHS), which includes Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Group, Holyoke Visiting Nurse Assoc. & Hospice Life Care, and River Valley Counseling Center, joined together to help support 48 families in need of assistance this holiday season. The families include 123 children and their parents and guardians affiliated with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke is very grateful to have the support of community partners like Holyoke Medical Center,” said Ann Mann, director of Operations for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke. “For several years now, the Adopt a Family Program has made it possible for children who need us most to receive new toys during the holiday season. Words cannot describe the joy this program has brought to hundreds of local children during this holiday season.”

In addition to the employee donations, Holyoke Medical Center made a direct contribution of more than 100 new toys to the Holyoke Police Department for distribution to children experiencing homelessness on Christmas morning. The donation was valued at more than $2,500.

“Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems are committed to giving back to our community,” said Lisa Wray Schechterle, director of Community Benefits at Holyoke Medical Center. “We are incredibly appreciative and proud of our team joining us each year with their generosity. Since 2016, our staff have supported over 800 children and their families at the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club.”