The annual UT Health San Antonio Gifts for Children program is quickly approaching. Since its inception in 1989, the program has brought many smiling faces to children across the city with the donation of toys and books during the December holidays.
Last year, employees donated more than 3,500 gifts for children hospitalized or being treated during the holidays. These items were displayed around the holiday tree in the AAB and then many busy elves delivered those items to local hospitals and clinics serving children.
This year due to COVID-19, the Gifts for Children program will not take place in the same format as it has in the past. To ensure everyone’s safety, the program will not collect items from employees.
Instead, the plan is to donate funds collected from previous Gifts for Children fundraisers held before the pandemic and divide those funds between participating organizations.
While we are disappointed that we will not be able to collect and see the thousands of gifts around the holiday tree, we have confirmed that the clinics supported in the past are pleased to receive a monetary gift instead to use how they feel best for the children they serve.
We hope that we can resume this special UT Health San Antonio service project as usual for the 2021 holidays.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gifts For Children Chairs, James Garza at garzajp@uthscsa.edu or Mercedes Esquivel at esquivelm4@uthscsa.edu.