Franciscan Health Hammond: Warmth of Holiday Spirit Shown in Generosity

Franciscan-Health-Hammond-Warmth-of-Holiday-Spirit-Shown-in-GenerosityThe holiday spirit was more than alive and well during an Adopt-A-Family Christmas program at Franciscan Health Hammond Dec. 15. Employees representing 62 hospital departments chipped in with time, money and cheer to make the holidays better for numerous area residents, whose names were supplied by the Hammond area Women, Infants and Children program, and received gifts. Some 200 adults and 307 children received items, which were delivered by hospital staff members after the program. Sister Aloysius Albert, a hospital chaplain, is shown giving impassioned remarks before the attendees, who packed the cafeteria.

She explained how everyone is a light in God’s eyes, comparing that beauty to the lights that adorned Christmas trees in the room. Other speakers included Patrick Maloney, hospital president and chief executive officer; Elsa Martinez, a nurse recruiter who ran the holiday effort; and the Rev. Ted Norquist, who led a prayer service and blessed the gifts and their donors with holy water. Caroling was led by Angela Krasnik and Jeanette Leitch. Santa also was hand to spread cheer and take photos with participants. Similar programs were conducted the same day at Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Munster. Maloney also is president and CEO of those hospitals.