The staff at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates take pride in providing compassionate care for our patients, but their compassion does not stop at our practice doors. Throughout the year, our practices reach out to the local community to give back and help those who are less fortunate.
This past December, our administrative office staff located in Needham chose to support the Dedham Youth Commission’s Holiday Program. This program helps ensure each child has something to open during the holiday season. The Youth Commission works with school counselors and social service agencies to identify families in need. While Dedham’s elementary schools are the primary users of this program, a preschool and some middle and high schools also participate. Parents are asked to provide their child’s age, gender and a few things that their child needs or wants this year. These items may include clothes, toys or even gift cards to a particular store so that the parent can personally shop for their child.
The staff in Needham committed to fulfilling 75 requests, and employees chose an ornament listing the child’s name, gender, and desired gift. “We were overwhelmed by the response of our employees,” said event chair Jimmy Chalhub. “Their personal commitment was incredibly helpful and allowed us to reach our goal of providing 75 children a gift this holiday season, which is a difficult time for so many families.”
Staff in Needham loading collected toys in support of the Dedham Youth Commission’s Holiday Program.
Needham wasn’t the only location that assisted families in need during the holiday season. Many of our practices collected hundreds of coats for adults and children through the Coats for Kids drive. Toy drives were also held at multiple locations to benefit organizations such as the Department of Families and Children (DFC) as well as various shelters.