Day Kimball Healthcare’s (DKH) Warmth and Wellness Holiday Drive returned for a second year collecting over forty cases of personal care and warmth items, including hats, gloves, blankets, and more, for those in need across Northeast Connecticut.

“Our mission is centered on healthcare, but good health begins with caring for the whole person, ensuring their needs for things like basic warmth and personal care are met,” said DKH President and CEO, Anne Diamond. “It is our responsibility to support the health and wellness of our neighbors in need, and our annual Warmth and Wellness Holiday Drive is one way we are able to accomplish this.”

Hundreds of donated items were delivered the week of January 28 to community agencies such as TEEG, Interfaith Human Services’ food pantry, and the DKH Family Advocacy Program, and new this year, distributions were extended to DKH’s own outpatient services including Diagnostic Imaging and Behavioral Health.

“We are really grateful for these items,” said TEEG Executive Director Anne Miller about the donations. “Not only will these personal care items be helpful to those struggling with housing stability, but they will also serve to stretch family budgets.”

The drive was held throughout December and into the first week of January. DKH staff and the community were invited to drop donations at designated Warmth and Wellness holiday trees at various DKH locations. Items collected included hundreds of toothbrushes and related dental hygiene products; containers of body wash, shampoo, and deodorant; toilet paper and feminine products; facecloths and hand towels; laundry detergent and wet wipes; pillows, sheets, blankets; socks, hats and mittens for children and adults.

“Thanks to the generosity of our staff and the community, we doubled the results of last year’s drive,” said DKH Director of Development, Kristen Willis. “These donations make a big difference for individuals and families in our community when they need it most. This spirit of generosity and thoughtfulness is at the heart of all we do at Day Kimball Healthcare and throughout the Northeast CT community.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS: (l to r:)

BANNER: DKH Director of Development, Kristen Willis delivers donated personal care and warmth items to Peter Neal, Ph.D, Director of Behavioral Health Services at DKH and his team in the Behavioral Health Center. 

TOP: DKH Director of Development, Kristen Willis and DKH Facilities employee Brian Hawes deliver personal care and warmth items collected from DKH’s Warmth and Wellness Holiday drive to WINY Radio’s Karen Osbrey to be distributed through the Interfaith Human Services’ food pantry.

CENTER: DKH Director of Development, Kristen Willis and DKH Facilities employee Brian Hawes delivers a wide array of personal care and warmth items to TEEG Executive Director Anne Miller and Community Outreach Coordinator Jason Bleau at the TEEG office in Thompson.

BOTTOM: DKH Director of Development, Kristen Willis delivers items collected from the DKH Warmth and Wellness Holiday Drive to Brittany-Mae Kruzel DKH Family Support Provider for Nurturing Families.