WDMH provided 85 angel tree gifts plus food items to the North Dundas Christmas Fund (NDCF) which helped fill approximately 180 Christmas Basket requests last week by the three North Dundas locations of Chesterville, South Mountain, and Winchester. At the drop-off are: Judy Hilson, DCFB Coordinator, Dianne Lapier, WDMH, Alana McDonald, a St. Michael Catholic High School (Kemptville) student currently at WDMH, Roberta Giberson, a Winchester volunteer representing NDCF and Donna Quesnel, DCFB Administrator.

PHOTO CREDIT - Winchester District Memorial Hospital

Winchester - December 19, 2011 - Once again this year, Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) staff gave back to our local communities with the Angel Wish Tree Campaign.

Food and gifts for 85 “Angels” - boys and girls of varying ages in our local communities - were recently delivered to the Dundas County Food Bank (Winchester location), making Christmas a bit brighter for children and families in need. The donations helped to fill more than 180 Christmas basket requests in Chesterville, South Mountain and Winchester.

WDMH staff member Dianne Lapier organized this year’s project and was overwhelmed by the response.

“As I watch my office fill up with gifts year after year, it is obvious that we have a wonderful, kind staff working here who truly care about the communities they live and work in, and I want to thank everyone.”

The North Dundas Christmas Fund (NDCF) coordinates the distribution of Christmas food baskets, Angel Tree gifts/toys, and snowsuits (13 & under), with representatives from the following community service groups/organizations: the Mountain & District Lions Club, Winchester Lions Club, Winchester Legion Branch #108, Chesterville Christmas Basket Committee, as well as House of Lazarus and the Dundas County Food Bank.

“We want to acknowledge the role that Winchester District Memorial Hospital has played in the collection of angel tree gifts. It is a gesture that everyone concerned greatly appreciates once again this year,” noted Donna Quesnel, Administrator, Dundas County Food Bank. “All donations during the holiday season help families in need and are much appreciated.”

WDMH staff and physicians were happy to be able to give back to the communities that have been so supportive of the hospital.