Home » Home » Health First Associates Hit Shopping Aisles as ‘Spirit of Giving’ Spreads Christmas Cheer

Health First Associates Hit Shopping Aisles as ‘Spirit of Giving’ Spreads Christmas Cheer

By  //  December 18, 2022

10th Magic of Christmas Toy Drive is partnership between Health First, South Brevard Sharing Center and Brevard Family Partnership

HEALTH FIRST CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER PAULA JUST said a spirit of giving is part of wellness. “We say that wellness starts with ‘we’ – we embody that through the ways we can give back.” (Health First image)

10th Magic of Christmas Toy Drive sends Health First associates to the shopping aisles, picking gifts for kids in need.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Kids, Santa Claus doesn’t do it alone. He has an army of elves up and down the supply chain, and this week, he listed a few more from Health First to hit the shopping aisles for games and toys, electronics and clothes.

It was the 10th Magic of Christmas Toy Drive, a seasonal partnership between Brevard County’s leading health system and the South Brevard Sharing Center and Brevard Family Partnership. Tuesday, teams met at the Walmart in Viera; the following day, it was the Target in Melbourne.

“I’m proud of Health First, and this morning just validated why I work for Health First,” said Natasha White, IT Business Systems Analyst. “I have one son, and all year, he has more than enough. I know there are kids who have a whole lot less. When you have so much, why not, during the holidays, give back? That’s the whole purpose of the holidays.”

MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPER NATASHA WHITE is an IT Business Systems Analyst at Health First. “I’m proud of Health First, and this morning just validated why I work for Health First. When you have so much, why not, during the holidays, give back? That’s the whole purpose of the holidays.” (Health First image)

“We say that wellness starts with ‘we’ – we embody that through the ways we can give back,” said Paula Just, Chief Experience Officer at Health First. “It’s heartwarming to know that we can bless the lives of the people that we serve in our community. A spirit of giving is part of wellness.”

Requests for food, clothing, rental assistance and more were up nearly 50% last quarter at the South Brevard Sharing Center, said Chris Stagman, Community Relations and Development Director.

“These are working parents and they need just a little help, and this just brings a little of that magic of Christmas spirit,” he said, loading bags of gifts onto a truck. “We’re so appreciative of Health First – Health First comes through every year for the community at Christmas time.”

HEALTH FIRST PRESIDENT STEVE JOHNSON (right) visits with Mayte Nilsson, a Resource Development and Volunteer Coordinator with the South Brevard Sharing Center. (Health First image)

One of those shopping for games, toys and sports equipment was Steve Johnson, President and CEO of Health First.

“We don’t believe or want to suggest that a material thing can demonstrate love, but we do want these kids to know that their community is thinking about them,” he said. “As you’ll hear and see around the community, we believe that wellness begins with ‘we’.”

SHOPPER KRIS DOAN, a Health First Vice President for Human Resources Provider Services, checks out bicycles while shopping at the Magic of Christmas Toy Drive December 6 at the Walmart in Viera. (Health First image)
BRADY DE LUCA, Jeni Kelleher and Tracy Conner get into the spirit as shopping “elves” on loan to Santa. (Health First image)
RENEE FALKNER and Ivelisse Lebron collect toys.
RACHEL HOBGOOD and Jodi Quillet are checking their list twice.

Visit HF.org/news to find out what’s happening at Health First.

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