HOLIDAY TRADITION: Health First Associates and Leaders Shop for Brevard County Kids and Families in Need

Over the last 12 years, Health First has made the holiday season brighter for more than 2,000 children

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As part of their commitment to giving back to the community, Health First associates and leaders again kicked off the holiday season by shopping for children in need at two area retail locations – Target and Walmart.

Nearly 50 associates and leaders gathered at the Viera Target location to partner with the South Brevard Sharing Center. They were helping to fulfill wish lists for children who otherwise might not receive gifts for the holidays—and many of whom are homeless—as part of the Sharing Center’s “Children Without Christmas Toy Drive.”

On Thursday, Health First associates again converged on the Melbourne Village Walmart location to shop for Family Partnerships of Central Florida.

Over the last 12 years, Health First has helped make the holiday season brighter for more than 2,000 children. Hundreds of Health First associates and leaders have volunteered their time to shop for “wish lists” provided by organizations including South Brevard Sharing Center and Family Partnerships of Central Florida.

“Our associates really look forward to this event each year, and we hear from so many who say, ‘I can’t wait to come back and do this again.’ So, to make this happen each year I think is a special resource for both the community and our team at Health First,” said Terry Forde, Health First President and CEO.

“We are so blessed to be a community partner that can give back and help those in need. And we know that giving back to the community is a 365 day-a-year responsibility that we have as a health care system. But there’s another reason why we do it as individuals, and the positive impact we can make on a person-to-person basis is a strong experience. And that’s part of the values we share collectively.”

“South Brevard Sharing Center really appreciates this partnership we’ve had with Health First. It means so much to so many families, and really is something that just gives them hope and encouragement for a better year ahead,” said Pamela Huffman, executive director for South Brevard Sharing Center.

“As of this week, we had more than 200 children on our list to receive toys and gifts this holiday season, and we’re still collecting registrations.”

Gifts on the wish list are bagged and coordinated, and parents then pick them up at a scheduled pickup event. They can decide which presents are from them – and which are from Santa, so this is a chance for Health First to be Santa for 100 children this holiday season.”

Phil Scarpelli, president and chief executive officer of Family Partnerships of Central Florida, attended the shopping event on Thursday and said it will make a tremendous difference for many families this holiday season.

“We began our early days serving children and families in Brevard County,” said Scarpelli.

“And now we’ve expanded beyond Brevard County. But this is where our roots have been and working with Health First and wonderful organizations that serve the people this county and beyond.

“I don’t know anything more that would bring the focus and appreciation to the meaning of Christmas than what we are doing today with Health First. This is all about us uniting with a community that, like us, is passionate about kids. I mean, they really are important to this community. When we come together in this collaborative effort, it just reminds us what this is all about, particularly at the holiday season where people come together with the good spirit of giving,” said Scarpelli

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