"Silent Night" Brings Christmas Cheer to Families of Patients at Saint Francis Medical Center

Once again family members whose loved ones were patients in intensive care units in Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on Christmas Eve were treated to a bit of Christmas cheer by "Silent Night" with the assistance of area businesses, a local restaurant, and volunteers.

Silent Night simultaneously hosted similar events at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis and St. Clare's Health Center in Fenton.

This year Silent Night returned to Saint Francis Medical Center to provide a few hours of relief from the stress of having a family member in an intensive care unit during the Christmas season. Food and beverages were provided in a peaceful atmosphere, with music, to make a difference in the lives of the families.

Area businesses and volunteers provided goods and services, and on December 24, 2009, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant prepared and delivered their specialty dishes as their contribution to this Silent Night event.

Silent Night is a nonprofit corporation established by Carolynne Kieffer of St. Louis, formerly of Kelso, after she experienced the difficulties faced by family members visiting their loved ones in intensive care units over Christmas Eve. Kieffer said that "it is always stressful when a family member is ill and in an intensive care unit, but it is particularly stressful when it is over the Christmas season." Kieffer is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau and of Southeast Missouri State University.

Sponsors of this year's event were State Farm Insurance/Charlotte Lanpher and Leigh Jinks, along with Food Giant, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant of Cape Girardeau, Sam's Club, and Frito-Lay.

Volunteers who assisted in the planning and participated in this year's Silent Night event at Saint Francis Medical Center were Charlotte Lanpher, Leigh Jinks and family, Patrice Cahill and family, and Joe Lindsey, an employee of Saint Francis Medical Center. Lindsey assisted Kieffer in the planning and coordination of the first Silent Night event at St. Francis Medical Center on Christmas Eve, 2008.

As one of the volunteers, Leigh Jinks, stated, "My family and I wanted to do something in memory of family members we have lost in recent months. We have been where those family members are and understand how it affects them, especially during the holidays. After leaving the hospital on Christmas Eve, we as a family decided to make the Silent Night event for family members of patients in intensive care a new part our Christmas tradition."

Kieffer stated that she greatly appreciated the assistance of State Farm Insurance/Charlotte Lanpher and Leigh Jinks in helping to make the 2009 event possible.

The first Silent Night events were held on Christmas Eve 2008 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau and at St. Anthony's Health Center in St. Louis.

Persons wishing to learn more about Silent Night or to assist in future events may email the organization at silent.night@sbcglobal.net.