Courtesy photo A Nashua PAL van and a Nashua police SWAT vehicle were filled to the brim with gifts after volunteers loaded them up for distribution to local families as part of St. Joseph Hospital's Christmas Basket Project, one of the community initiatives the hospital undertakes around the holidays. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA – The two weeks leading up to Christmas proved that the “season of giving” was not just alive and well, but was thriving at St. Joseph Hospital.

In that time, the hospital hosted two Christmas-themed events focused on bringing the Christmas spirit to local families.

One – a “drive-through” visit with Santa, took place for the first time, and was created in such a way as to follow the safety guidelines necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 200 families, including some 400 children, showed up on a Saturday morning to visit with Santa from the comfort, and safety, of their vehicles.

Upon arrival, the visitors, who registered in advance for one of the 210 time slots, were given a set of free raffle tickets, giving them a chance to win one of 12 fully-decorated Christmas trees, each of which was sponsored by local small businesses.

Courtesy photo Some of the Nashua police volunteers who took part in the distribution of gifts for local families at Christmastime are shown with a SWAT vehicle and van, both of which were used to deliver the gifts around town. (Courtesy photo)

The sponsors included Fimbel Garage Doors, Pearl Marketing, Gate City Small Engine Service, Daignault Property Services, Enterprise Bank, Oasis Springs Farm, HC Salon and Day Spa, Loren Morse Electrical Services, the Greater Nashua YMCA, Carozza Eye Care, and Professional Pet Sitting Etc.

Then it was on to see Santa, but on the way, everyone stopped at Santa’s Workshop, where kids could drop their letters to Santa into the North Pole mailbox. About a week later, each letter-writer received a letter back from Santa.

Then it was time for the hospital to launch its 61st annual Christmas Basket Project, which each year has provided toys, clothing, and food for local families who need a little assistance come Christmas.

The families who receive assistance are chosen through referrals by a combination of local school districts, the Salvation Army of Greater Nashua and Nashua PAL.

Those families are then “adopted” by members of a particular department, or practice, at the hospital.

Courtesy photo Two of the estimated 400 children who visited Santa during St. Joseph Hospital's first "drive through Santa," which allowed families to greet him from a pandemic-safe distance, wait pateintly for him to finish his "photo op" during their visit. (Courtesy photo)

Come distribution day, PAL leaders and several Nashua police officers pick up the gifts at the hospital, then set out to deliver them to each adopted family.

“Both of these events were representative of our hospital’s commitment to serving our community, even in the most difficult of times,” St. Joseph Hospital president John Jurczyk said.

He pointed out that 2020 “has challenged all of us in different ways. But to have the opportunity to bring some sense of normalcy and Christmas joy to our children is truly a blessing.”

– Submitted by Timothy McMahon, St. Joseph Hospital