FOR THE HOLIDAYS, PUBLIC URGED TO SPONSOR RESIDENTS AT DELAWARE HOSPITAL FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL AND GOVERNOR BACON HEALTH CENTER

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 20, 2014) - In keeping with the spirit of holiday giving, the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI) in Smyrna and the Governor Bacon Health Center (GBHC) in Delaware City are asking members of the community to sponsor a resident at either state-run nursing home. Since many residents have little family involvement or support, the two nursing homes rely on the generosity of community members including neighbors, local businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to help fulfill resident wishes at the holidays.

"Sponsoring a resident at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill or the Governor Bacon Health Center is really about Delawareans supporting their neighbors in need," Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf said. DHSS operates both of the nursing homes. "At the holidays, I can't think of anything more uplifting or more important than remembering others. Every year we are grateful for the support from the public for our residents at DHCI and Governor Bacon."

Members of the community can sponsor residents in one of three ways:

• Adopt-A-Resident - The nursing homes will provide donors with the identification code and wish list of a resident. The sponsor will purchase the items and deliver the gift, unwrapped in a gift bag, to the Volunteer Services office or switchboard operator at:
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, or
• Governor Bacon Health Center, 248 Kent Ave., Delaware City. We suggest spending no more than $25 per resident.

• Monetary donation - Donors may make a donation by check or gift card and leave the shopping to us. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Volunteer Services office:
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, DE 19977. Checks can be made payable to DHCI.
• Governor Bacon Health Center, P.O. Box 559 Delaware City, DE 19706. Checks can be made out to GBHC. Please put "Holiday Donation" in the memo. All funds donated will be used to purchase gifts for residents.

• General donation - Purchase items from the list of suggested gift items that we will email to you or you can pick up in the lobby at each facility. These items are used during the holidays to fill gift bags for residents who have not been adopted, and also used throughout the year to fill resident birthday bags and special requests for residents.

To participate, please e-mail Jennifer.Bobel@delaware.gov or call 302-223-1011 and let her know how you would like to help. She asks that donations be delivered by Monday, December 8 to either nursing home to allow time to update lists, do any last-minute shopping, and ensure that every resident has a gift bag to open on Christmas Day. Gifts may be left at either home's switchboard reception area seven days a week.

Please mark them for the Volunteer Services office, with the Resident ID number and complete the donation form with your name and address so an acknowledgement may be sent.

"Your community support makes an enormous impact on the lives of our residents and is greatly appreciated," Bobel said. "On behalf of the residents and staff at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill and the Governor Bacon Health Center, we wish you and your family the very happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year."

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.