Southcoast Health has expanded its community benefits program into the holiday season through Southcoast Health Cares by supporting nine organizations that care for residents in the region. 

In early December, Southcoast Cares partnered with My Brother’s Keeper, which has locations in Dartmouth and Easton, to lead a collection drive supporting local families in need. 

Southcoast Health employees chose to give back by adopting specific families or gifting much-needed items ranging from toys, art and crafts, clothing and household items for children, teens and adults during this holiday season.

 “Southcoast Cares allows us to deliver on our mission of providing More than medicine, directly addressing emerging needs in the community,” said Alison LeBert, manager of community benefits at Southcoast Health. “It was wonderful to see the number of gifts collected in the employee holiday gift drive and the overwhelming support of our effort to give back to our community.”

 “For the second year in a row, Southcoast Health will help make Christmas a very special day for hundreds of struggling local families,” said Erich Miller, president of My Brother’s Keeper. 

“The gifts the employees donated to benefit the My Brother’s Keeper Christmas Program will be cherished by the children who will receive them,’’ he said. “Equally important, these generous donations will alleviate the stress and anxiety of parents who would otherwise watch their children go without gifts this Christmas. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for joining us in delivering help and hope to families throughout the South Coast.”

 My Brother’s Keeper delivers furniture and food to families in need living in the Southeastern Massachusetts service area. Founded in 1988 by a husband and wife from the basement of their home, today 4,000 volunteers and 14 employees work together to make 9,000 deliveries each year.

in addition to the collection drive, Southcoast Health also provided monetary support to eight local organizations: United Way of Greater New Bedford; Salvation Army Fall River Corps Community Center; Salvation Army New Bedford Corps Community Center; Salvation Army, Newport Corps; Mercy Meals and More; Turning Point; PACE; and Citizens for Citizens.