State hospital employees provide ‘Angel Tree’ gifts to needy children
–For the 25th 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 306 children at the Head Start schools in Atascadero, Cambria, Five Cities, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.
“It’s always been a heartwarming event, and this year will certainly be no exception,” said Stirling Price, hospital executive director. “There is nothing that puts you into the holiday spirit like giving—especially to such a worthy cause.”
Hospital staff began preparing for the event in September. On Nov. 22, 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 Dec. 14, 10 a.m., to collect the donated gifts and deliver them to needy children at their schools.
In the past 24 years, Atascadero State Hospital staff have donated more than 6,200 holiday gifts to children in the community.
