LAKEPORT, Calif. – In the giving spirit of the season, Sutter Lakeside Hospital employees purchased holiday gifts for 100 children through the Lake Family Resource Center Children’s Gift Fund.

The employees also contributed $700 cash to the program.

The money was raised at the recent Sutter Lakeside Annual Holiday Party through a raffle organized by Sutter Lakeside employees Jackie Rad, R.N.C., M.S.N., C.N.L., Family Birth Center and Respiratory Services manager; and Allison Panella, administrative executive assistant.

A few weeks ago Rad also sent a memo out to employees about the 100 child gift sponsorships and they were snatched up immediately.

“Our staff support was amazing,” Rad said. “Within 48 hours of sending the memo I had sponsors for all 100 children. Everyone jumped at the opportunity to be generous and give back to our community.”

It seems the spirit of giving is contagious. As Rad bought a basket-full of gifts for the children at a local store, a woman in the checkout line asked if she was supporting a local charity. When Rad said yes, the woman handed her a $100 bill to help.

“It was so uplifting to see someone reach out like that to help others,” Rad says. “This is what the holiday season is all about.”

Sutter Lakeside has participated in the Children’s Gift Fund program for the past five years and plans to contribute again next year.

“For many years Sutter Lakeside employees have made Christmas special for hundreds of Lake County children who would otherwise do without,” says Jami White, Lake Family Resource Center ERSEA/education coordinator. “Their compassion and empathy truly demonstrate the spirit of the season, and our families are so grateful.”

Lake Family Resource Center, the nonprofit organization that manages the gift drive, has served Lake County families since 1995.

The gift drive is just one of this organization’s many services funded by government grants and community donations to approximately 1,400 families and 4,500 individuals each year.