Health First Community Service Days Assists Needy

By  //  May 17, 2012

Caring for Brevard

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Health First’s commitment to the community transcends medicine and that was evident as hundreds of employees pitched in on eight separate charitable projects in Brevard County over the weekend.

As the largest healthcare provider on the Space Coast, Health First reaffirmed its concern for the well-being of citizens of all ages here by sponsoring the 3rd annual “Caring for Brevard” community service days campaign Feb. 17 and 18.

UNITED WAY of Brevard president Rob Rains, left, joins Steve Johnson, Health First president/CEO in preparing food donations for needy seniors at Second Harvest Food Bank in Melbourne.

Along with volunteers from United Way of Brevard, Health First employees unselfishly gave their time and manpower at locations throughout the county.

“Caring for Brevard” gives our Health First family an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Health First President/CEO Steve Johnson. “This campaign embodies Health First’s mission to help improve lives and communities where we live.”

Benefiting Low-Income Seniors

The projects included grocery distribution from Second Harvest Food Bank to low-income seniors living at Trinity Towers in Melbourne; helping to assemble cold weather packets for homeless residents and shelters; a home renovation for several home-bound patients; mentoring at a career night for middle-school students and conducting a health fair for children affected by poverty.

Johnson joined United Way of Brevard president Rob Rains at the Second Harvest Food Bank on Friday to assist in packing 900 sacks of groceries that were delivered to needy seniors at Trinity Towers on Saturday.

Health First employees pack up 900 sacks of groceries for needy seniors at Second Harvest Food Bank on Feb. 17.

Health First employees pack up 900 sacks of groceries for needy seniors at Second Harvest Food Bank on Feb. 17.

“We’re honored to be working on these projects alongside our community partner, United Way of Brevard,” Johnson said.

Each sack contained a box of stuffing, a dozen Ensure drinks, 10 ice pops, a box of Rice Krispy treats, applesauce, soup, boxed rice, canned beans and franks, red beans & rice packages, canned vegetables and a selection of healthy treats and snacks.

The cold weather packets for the homeless were donated by Health First and assembled at Health First’s Distribution Center in Melbourne.

The home improvement projects included building a deck and wheelchair ramp for a home care patient in Malabar and working on dry wall, painting and moving furniture for a home care patient in Melbourne.

Team Work

Health First employees teamed up with South Brevard NAACP chapters to man tables and discuss careers in the healthcare profession during a career night at the Eau Gallie Civic Center.

Employees also performed health fair screenings, offered health education and constructed an obstacle course for children at the South Brevard NAACP UMOJA! Festival held at Lipscomb Park in Melbourne on Saturday.

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