HRH collects for Catholic Charities

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Thanks to the efforts of Houlton Regional Hospital’s staff, more people will be able to get food this winter. HRH recently held a housewares/food drive, collecting items for Catholic Charities Home Supplies and Food Bank, taking in both food and articles of clothing.
    “One of the reasons we chose Catholic Charities of Maine is that it stays local,” said Trudy O’Bar, quality manager at Houlton Regional Hospital. “Everything stays here in the County and we are able to help our neighbors. That is something we all felt very strongly about.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
GENEROUS DONATIONS — Houlton Regional Hospital recently collected items for Catholic Charities. Among the many staff members participating are, from left, Jackie White, Jana Fitzpatrick, Kathy Madigan, Naomi Mills, Ashley Russell, Tom Moakler, Lisa Mooers, Heather Flewelling, Trudy O’Bar, Dixie Shaw of Catholic Charities, Rebecca Lenentine and Jeff Bouchard.
    The hospital has held a food drive for three years, and every year the amount of giving grows. A total of 715 food items, $150 in cash and 22 bags of clothing were collected at the hospital.
    “We have over 400 employees, so it figured out to about two items from every employee,” O’Bar said.
    The giving spirit seemed to be higher this year, she added, as last year’s drive generated 675 items.
    Breakfast foods were the focus of many of the food items, and the hospital staff chose healthier items to put in the collection boxes.
    “In addition to giving food, we wanted to give healthy food options,” O’Bar said.
    A “Mitten Tree” was also set up at the hospital, with all of the mittens going to local schools. A giving tree was also set up for those wishing to purchase items for needy children.
    “Our hospital staff is really trying to do different things for the community,” she said.
    Dixie Shaw, program director of Catholic Charities, said she was amazed at the amount of items collected by HRH’s staff.
    “This is wonderful,” she said. “It’s not just the people who are struggling with everyday existence, it’s also the working people. But it’s the working people who are usually the ones who help us the most.”