Health First and 50 of its associates went toy shopping Friday morning to help make this holiday season special for hundreds of Brevard County children in need. Above, Health First Chief Human Resources Officer Paula Just, left, hands toys up to Health First associate Michael Mancuso. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA – Health First and 50 of its associates went toy shopping Friday morning to help make this holiday season special for hundreds of Brevard County children in need.
For the third year in a row, Health First partnered with the South Brevard Sharing Center to fulfill holiday wish lists for Brevard County kids and teens in need.
Through the Health First Community Benefits Program, Health First associates and volunteers from the Sharing Center went shopping at the Toys “R” Us in Melbourne to purchase more than 400 gifts for the “Children Without Christmas Toy Drive.”
“Working with caring community partners like Health First to provide presents to area kids really gives hope to families who are struggling,” said John Autry, Executive Director, South Brevard Sharing Center.
“Food runs out and toys may break, but hope can last forever and that’s what today’s event is all about.”
The gifts included everything from boogie boards and bicycles to Monster High dolls and Avengers action figures. The items were loaded onto the Sharing Center’s truck so they could be delivered to the children before Christmas Day.
Steve Johnson
“As Brevard’s hometown health system, Health First is committed to serving our community and to giving back through events like the South Brevard Sharing Center Toy Drive,” said Health First President & CEO Steve Johnson.
“Our physicians and associates go above and beyond to care for the health and well-being of our community every day and they cherish the opportunity to help make the holidays special for Brevard County children in need.”
Health First Community Benefits Program works with several non-profit agencies year-round. In 2014, Health First’s support of the community totaled more than $119 million, which included charity and uncompensated care.
Health First President and CEO Steve Johnson, right, helps load toys and gifts on the South Brevard Sharing Center truck, which will to be delivered to hundreds of Brevard children in need this holiday season. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
