Santa made a special stop at Kent Hospital last Friday. He helped to distribute toys, winter wear, household items and more to 43 families from the area adopted by the hospital staff for the holidays.

Kent has been hosting the Adopt-A-Family for the past 35 years, taking referrals for families in need from the Kent Employee Emergency Program, Kent Hospital Home Care and in-house referrals, and local agencies such as West Bay Community Action, Thundermist, St. Rita’s Parish, and Elizabeth Buffum Chase Center.

Sue Barbour, Rich Baggesen and Father David Ricard, the hospital chaplain, who run the program, begin organizing the Adopt-A-Family event as early as August, collecting both financial and gift donations.

Father Ricard said that the Kent staff always comes out to support the program; the medical staff alone donated more than $7,500.

He said because all of the recipients are from the local community, the staff often has personal connections with them. For others, Father Ricard said many of the employees were once in a tough spot themselves.

“They know what it’s like to have nothing,” Father Ricard said. “At one point, they rose above that through work and education, but they remember what it’s like to go without. They have come to a better livelihood [and] want to share that. It’s an awareness and personal growth that brings people to give so selflessly to our program,” he said.

Baggesen, who had been adopted himself, said, “It’s amazing to know you can help a family in this way.”

He said for struggling families, to receive from the Kent Adopt-A-Family program is a huge weight off their shoulders for the holiday season.

Barbour estimated between all the donations – everything must be new – the care packages are worth more than $60,000.

“We give everything through this program,” Barbour said. “From gift cards, to household items, toys and clothing for everyone in the family. We see so many people at the worst times of their lives here and we want to be able to help in every way we can. This is just one more way.”

On the day of, there are between 20 and 30 “elf” volunteers distributing the gifts, which are already beautifully wrapped.

For Barbour, the day Kent distributes the gifts is the “kick-off” to the holiday season.

Many of the families become emotional seeing how much they are receiving from the program.

“A lot of them break down and cry. They are in such disbelief and always so appreciative,” she said. “Everyone should have the chance to celebrate; they shouldn’t go without in the season.”

Father Ricard said the Kent Adopt-A-Family is giving much more than just material items to the participating families.

“We aren’t giving them all this as much as they deserve it. We make that happen for them. They have someone recognize them and their struggles. We remind them they’re worth it and deserving,” he said.