WATCH: Health First’s Annual Christmas Toy Shopping Has Spread Joy for a Decade, and Counting!

HEALTH FIRST 11th Magic of Christmas Toy Drive

Health First Shopping for Toys with the Sharing Center of Southern Brevard from Health First on Vimeo.

WATCH: The 11th Magic of Christmas Toy Drive, a collaboration between Health First, the South Brevard Sharing Center and Brevard Family Partnership took place Tuesday and Wednesday when associates and leaders from the health system fanned out across Melbourne’s Target and the Walmart in Viera to shop for gifts for children in need.

Community commitment continues throughout the holidays as associates strive to provide a Merry Christmas to local kids in need. VIEW the video HERE.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – ‘Tis the season to be merry, and how can you not, wonders Venus Williams, a Health First Product Development Specialist. The joy surrounds us.

“You’re called to do things you would not normally do to bring that happy spirit. Because look at what’s all around you? You want to participate. You want to be giving,” said Williams.

Williams joined dozens of her fellow Health First associates and leaders at the Walmart in Viera Wednesday morning for the 11th annual Magic of Christmas toy drive shopping spree.

In partnership with South Brevard Sharing Center and Brevard Family Partnership, Health First personnel fanned over two stores in two days with the aim of filling bags and bags with wish-list toys, clothes, electronics and more that will surely make the holidays brighter for local children in need this year.

Health First’s Chief Nursing Officer Cheyana Fischer visits with Chris Stagman, Community Relations and Development Director for the South Brevard Sharing Center. (Health First images)

“We know our food pantry [activity] has been up 46% this year from last,” said Chris Stagman, Community Relations and Development Director for the South Brevard Sharing Center.

“And Health First has helped us with the food delivery program this year, taking food out to folks who can’t get to the pantry.

“But this is different. Giving kids a Christmas is about hope. The mothers who collect their kids’ bundles, when they come to us, they just break down in tears. The financial strain is a struggle year-long, when the holidays get here, making Christmas better for them, that gets passed on to the child, and parent and child have a magical moment when they see for themselves that people in the community care.

“Health First always partners with us to send that message of hope and the magic of Christmas. It’s a strong message for our community. Health First steps up every year for us,” said Stagman.

Health First Vice President of Human Resources Jeff Jurinak says the Magic of Christmas Toy Drive is a different way for Health First’s diverse professionals to gather and connect. “We get to step away from the important and life-saving work that we do on a daily basis to be able to give back to others in our county in a different sort of way.”

When Williams’ adult sons were growing up, they benefited some Christmases from Toys 4 Tots, and so, “we’ve asked the community for help, and received it, and appreciated it,” said Williams.

“Today is a very special day,” said Jeff Jurinak, Vice President of Human Resources at Health First. “We get to step away from the important and life-saving work that we do on a daily basis to be able to give back to others in our county in a different sort of way.”

Health First associates and volunteers from the South Brevard Sharing Center will purchase gifts for hundreds of children in Brevard County as part of the sharing center’s toy drive.

Watch the video of Wednesday’s shopping and gifts loading HERE. To catch up on the latest news stories, visit HF.org/news.

SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY BELOW:

Health First Events Coordinator Rachel Hobgood prepares to hand out wish lists to dozens of Health First volunteer shoppers at the 11th annual Magic of Christmas Toy Drive, a partnership between Health First, the South Brevard Shopping Center and Brevard Family Partnership.

Health First’s Chief Financial Officer Brett Esrock hands bags of toys up to Public Relations Manager Michael Polarchy.

Nicholas Romanello is Health First’s Chief Legal Officer.

Nurse managers at Viera Hospital Ann Rapson and Danielle Dobrowsky with an Easy Bake Oven.

Health First associates worked with volunteers from the South Brevard Sharing Center to purchase gifts for hundreds of children in Brevard County as part of the toy drive.

Venus Williams is a Health First Product Developer by trade, but today she’s shopping as part of the Magic of Christmas Toy Drive. In her lifetime, she’s “asked the community for help, and received it, and appreciated it,” and she’s happy to shop for a new generation of kids and families.

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