AREA BUSINESS BRINGS A BIT OF CHEER TO FAMILIES

On Christmas Eve families of patients in the various intensive care units at Saint Francis Medical Center were treated to a bit of Christmas cheer. The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, along with volunteers who are staff members of the restaurant, brought and served a meal of hot pasta, salad and bread sticks to families and individuals staying with their loved ones in intensive care at the hospital.

This was the third year that area businesses and volunteers participated with "Silent Night," a Missouri not-for-profit organization, in providing catered food, beverages, music, and a peaceful environment for families and individuals staying with their loved ones who are patients in the various intensive care units at Saint Francis Medical Center on Christmas Eve. Volunteers pick up, deliver, and serve food to those waiting with their loved ones in ICU units that evening. Olive Garden also helped to sponsor the 2009 Silent Night event at the hospital.

"Silent Night" was founded by Carolynne Kieffer of St. Louis, formerly of Kelso, as a means of providing support and comfort to persons at the difficult time of having a loved one in the hospital over the Christmas holiday.

Laura Dumey, RN, MSN, TNS, BC, clinical director of surgical and critical care services at Saint Francis Medical Center, stated that "Having a loved one in intensive care is never easy, and it is especially hard during the holidays. I know our patients and families greatly appreciated this generosity and thoughtfulness on Christmas Eve."

Kieffer stated that she appreciated the special generosity of Olive Garden this year.

"Family members have appreciated their thoughtfulness and generosity," she said.

Roy Ussary, Sales Manager at the Cape Girardeau Olive Garden, said "Our restaurant provides take-out service to the wonderful staff at Saint Francis many times a week. It is our pleasure to give back to the hospital by making a difference in the lives of those patients in intensive care units and their families who are staying there with them this holiday season."

Olive Garden staff members who worked to make possible the Christmas Eve event were general manager Troy Mool, service manager Lesa Peterman, culinary manager Kristie Murdock,

and sales manager Roy Ussary. Team members Chelsea Young and Danielle Blake provided welcoming service at the event.

The 2010 Silent Night event at Saint Francis Medical Center was held simultaneously with other Silent Night events held at St. Clare Health Center in Fenton, Missouri; St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis; and the John Cochran Veteran's Hospital in St. Louis.

The "Silent Night" organization has also initiated a program of providing lodging to families or individuals in need of a place to stay while visiting loved ones in intensive care in Missouri hospitals. The program is supported by motels, inns and other lodging facilities located near the hospital.