December 21, 2021
NASHUA — As they have for 63 years now, employees of St. Joseph Hospital turned out in force again this year for their annual Christmas Basket Project.
This unique and special endeavor allows struggling families in the Nashua area to have presents under the tree on Christmas morning. This year, hospital employees supported 60 families, which included 168 children and 90 adults.
Each year, the hospital works with local schools, social service agencies and parishes to identify families who need assistance during the holiday season.
Departments throughout the hospital are then assigned a family for whom they purchase gifts ranging from bikes to sleeping bags and electronic games to warm clothing, toiletries and other necessary household items. Along with these gifts, each family also receives enough food to prepare meals for the Christmas holiday, including a turkey.
The Christmas Basket Project was founded by nursing students and faculty from the original St. Joseph School of Nursing. Over the years, the project has expanded to all hospital departments.
This effort truly exemplifies the spirit of love, sharing and family from all hospital employees, and serves as a perfect example of how the care they provide extends beyond the physical walls of a medical building.