Soft Touch at Sharp: Santa’s Korner in 30th Year as Hospital Staff Tradition

Thirty East County families identified by agencies such as La Mesa Head Start had an early Christmas on Dec. 14—part of a 30-year tradition of Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

Health-care staff delivered Disneyland tickets, bicycles, microwave ovens and other items, including clothing and toiletries, under a hospitalwide event called Santa’s Korner, said hospital spokeswoman Stacy Kadrich.

“Each department receives an adoptive family who can count on receiving items on their wish list, plus a holiday meal,” Kadrich said.

Hospital departments hold fundraisers and collect donations to support the effort, she said.

“A key element of the program is the choice to deliver unwrapped children’s gifts to their parents, allowing them to be active participants,” Kadrich said.

Sandy Pugliese, hospital community relations manager, oversaw the project, Kadrich said.

Agencies that helped select beneficiaries included Salvation Army back country, Granada Head Start, Crisis House, Vista Hill Parent Care and  our one family from the hospital’s prenatal clinic, Kadrich said.

Another hospital group performed a different service—caroling in the main lobby.

First Touch, a choir that sang around a piano under the direction of Kiah Young, lightened the mood of patients and families in the weeks leading up to Christmas.