It was a labor of love on Wednesday morning as teammates, volunteers and family members gathered again to provide Thanksgiving meals for families served by Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Heyman Hospice Care.
The meals, made or donated by Hospice teammates, volunteers and family members, included turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, sweet potatoes, potato salad and corn. A variety of pies and cakes were baked for dessert.
Nearly 150 meals were packed up and delivered personally to the families.
Melissa Washington, a social worker with Hospice, once again served as the onsite director as the food boxes were assembled and sent out. She and others were also there late Tuesday night getting things ready.
“We can do this!” exclaimed Washington as she encouraged the workers lined up behind tables as the assembly line began its work.
Casey Blankenship, program director for Heyman Hospice Care, said the annual event started in the 1990s.
“We have a team of compassionate caregivers, and I think it is just another way we can all come together as a family to help other families,” she said.
Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Heyman Hospice Care provides home-based compassionate, comfort-oriented care to patients with a life expectancy of less than six months, serving patients who live in Floyd, Chattooga, Polk, Bartow and Gordon counties.
Staff and volunteers support patients and families with medical care, respite care and social services to reduce stress and improve quality of life. Hospice also offers grief support to help families who have experienced a loss.
