Gives BackNews & Media
Family Gives Back to Help Other Families in Need During Holiday Season
What Began Seven Years Ago is Now a Family Tradition
It's all about giving back for Paula and her family - a tradition they've come to love and cherish every holiday season.
There's one day in particular they look forward to. It's when Hospice of Health First serves its annual Thanksgiving Day dinner to nearly 300 patients and their families in Brevard County. A well-known community event for the past 15 years.
"For us, that makes the day," Paula said, who's a Hospice Nurse Manager for Health First.
She first got involved with giving back seven years ago when Paula, her two kids, and her husband, all volunteered at the William Childs Hospice House to be involved in serving and delivering Thanksgiving Dinner.
"Once I made my first trip down, that's all it took," Paula said.
From there, the family's volunteering efforts of giving back spread into several Brevard County neighborhoods.
Home after home, Paula and her family have delivered hot meals to hospice patients and their loved ones.
"To have somebody show up and deliver them a meal or take out the trash is a big deal," Paula said.
Her kids who are now in college also agree.
They make it their mission to come back home every year so they won't miss the giving back tradition they've enjoyed throughout the years.
"For my daughter, who is 20 now, it's part of Thanksgiving," said Paula. "Even if it's just for a couple minutes to make the patients' holidays better".