PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) – This year Santa and his elves will deliver holiday gifts to hospice families in Hampton Roads not in a sleigh, but in firetrucks and police cars.
Each year, about 100 volunteers deliver holiday gifts to the children who are patients with EDMARC Hospice for Children in Portsmouth.
On Sunday, December 13, three teams on the Peninsula and seven teams on the Southside will deliver holiday gifts to over 80 families in Hampton Roads. Children, as well as their families, receive gifts at the holidays through the program.
"Shopping during the holidays is stressful enough, but just think what it would be like if you had a child that is sick and in a wheelchair," said EDMARC Executive Director Debbie Stitzer-Brame. "Not to mention, that many families have countless doctors' appointments and trying to cram in shopping too, simply adds stress to an already stressful situation to families. Our program aims to help reduce that stress and make it a time of joy and remembrance."
Last year, one child put on her letter to Santa that she collects purses. On Christmas day she opened purses in all shapes, sizes and colors. Her mother said that she hadn't seen Kaleigh smile like that in a long time.
For more information, contact EDMARC at www.edmarc.org or call 967-9251.
