Atascadero State Hospital bringing holiday cheer to needy children
–For the 26th year, employees at Atascadero State Hospital are bringing holiday cheer to children in the area by sponsoring an Angel Tree. The program provides gifts to children who otherwise might not receive any.
This year the hospital expanded the program, collecting gifts of toys and clothing for 250 children at the Head Start schools in Atascadero, Cambria, Five Cities, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.
“I’m very proud of the generosity of our staff,” said Stirling Price, hospital executive director. “Again, this year, DSH-Atascadero staff have opened their hearts to many deserving children in our community.We are honored and fortunate to have the opportunity to make such a difference.”
Hospital staff began preparing for the event in September. On November 15, a holiday tree decorated with children’s names was placed in the hospital’s lobby. Since then, employees have brought their gifts of clothes or toys, wrapped and ready, for the kids.
Head Start school employees will arrive at Atascadero State Hospital on December 15, 10 a.m., to collect the donated gifts and deliver them to needy children at their schools.
In the past 25 years, Atascadero State Hospital staff have donated more than 8,300 holiday gifts to more than 6,000 children in San Luis Obispo County.
