Dignity Health St. Bernardine Hosts 20th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Health Fair
Jackie Kimball, RN, gives a flu vaccination to Chue Berriel, San Bernardino, who attended the St. Bernardine Medical Center annual Thanksgiving dinner and health fair held at the Family Focus Center in San Bernardino.
Dignity Health St. Bernardine Medical Center recently celebrated its 20th year of providing an early Thanksgiving dinner to those who might otherwise go without. Nearly 800 community members turned out for the event, held at St. Bernardine’s Family Focus Center. Over 120 hospital employees and volunteers served turkey and all the trimmings, provided free flu shots, dental checks, blood pressure checks and shared wellness educational materials at several health fair booths.
“Many in our community struggle with very difficult financial situations,” said Linda McDonald, vice president of Mission Services for Dignity Health Inland Empire. “Our mission calls us to reach out into the community to show caring and generosity which demonstrate St. Bernardine’s core values of dignity, collaboration and stewardship. It is in this spirit that we are pleased and honored to have served 675 community members,” added McDonald.
During the festivities, families also had the opportunity to select a free jacket or sweater donated through the hospital’s annual jacket drive. This is the seventh year St. Bernardine Medical Center has included the “Share the Warmth” holiday boutique in conjunction with the Thanksgiving dinner and health fair. “A significant donation of jackets, coats and sweaters from generous community members allowed nearly 800 individuals in need to choose fashionable winter warmth at our holiday boutique,” said McDonald.
Additionally, through the hospital’s Thanksgiving community outreach activities, 120 needy families were “adopted” by St. Bernardine departments and were provided a box full of ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving feast that they could prepare at home.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you are able to bring joy and comfort to individuals and families who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to enjoy a turkey dinner,” said McDonald. “The generosity of our employees, family members, friends and community volunteers demonstrates the caring and compassion that we feel for those in our community who have fallen on hard times,” concluded McDonald.