Let the Shopping Begin! Raffle Raises Funds to Buy Holiday Gifts for Needy Children

Hudson Valley Hospital Center still needs donations to make children’s wishes come true

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (November 17, 2010) - The wish list arrived at Hudson Valley Hospital Center this week, and Santa’s Helpers at the Hospital are working hard to make those wishes come true in time for the holidays.

An 8-year-old girl who loves pink and purple wants a Bratz Doll for Christmas; a hard-working single mom is hoping for a little extra help just to buy a tree, let alone the presents to put under it: These are some of the stories that Sue Lepore read about in the letters that arrived from social services agencies this week.

Lepore, facilitator of the program in the administration office at HVHC, will sort through those letters, containing the wish lists of needy children and their families. She will match them with Hospital employees who will head out to the stores to buy gifts. Just how many gifts they can buy, will depend on their shopping prowess and the generosity of those who donate. 

"Many of these children ask for so little" said Lepore. "Our shoppers try to get the best prices to stretch those dollars, but the money can go only so far," she said.
The annual shopping marathon is part of the Hospital’s "Santa’s Helpers" program. For the past 15 years, hospital employees, donors and community members have come together to support the "Santa's Helpers" program, which provides gifts for dozens of less fortunate children. This year, the Hospital’s goal is to spend $125 on each child and to buy gifts for 100 children. So far, Lepore said, they have raised enough to purchase about 70 gifts. Last year, more than $15,000 was raised to purchase presents for 105 children in 51 families.

Employees held a Denim Day fundraiser on Oct. 29 and a 50/50 Raffle is being held this week and next to raise money, but time is running short and more donations are needed, she said. On December 16 members of the HVHC staff and administration will throw a party to wrap the gifts.

To make a donation to support the program, please send a check payable to: HVHC and note in the memo section –"Santa’s Helpers" to Hudson Valley Hospital Center, 1980 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567. Every dollar collected goes directly to purchasing gifts. For more information on how you can help contact, Sue Lepore at (914) 734-3287.