Christmas kindness inspired by Elkhart General nurse brings joy and warmth to patients

“May the warmth of this blanket keep you safe and well,
We hope this year you will find special peace,
May you keep the season’s warmth with you now and all year through,
We thank you for your kindness and allowing us to care for you!
From the Family of Elkhart General Hospital”

Every year on Christmas morning, the team at Elkhart General Hospital observes a special tradition: Every hospital patient is gifted a warm blanket with this special note.

It all started back in 2015, when Mendy Dendy, RN, CMSRN, asked her colleagues in the Medical Surgical Unit if they could try to bring in 35 blankets for the people in their unit.

Not only did the team collect more than 35 blankets, they caught the attention of other hospital units that wanted to participate, too. Now, the hospital collects upwards of 200 blankets a year, enough for every inpatient, with any extras going to the Emergency Department for people who seek care there on Christmas Day.

Mendy wrote the sentiment that accompanies each blanket, and Nursing Director Deanna Roberts, RN, BSN, coordinates the collection and distribution of blankets, working with other unit directors across the hospital.

This warm tradition continued through the pandemic and is still going strong.

“The staff really enjoy giving patients a gift,” Deanna said. “When I come in on Christmas morning to get pictures, you can tell that it excites the staff just as much as the patients.”

It’s a tangible way to share comfort and compassion to people who may have been hoping to spend the day with loved ones instead of in a hospital—a way to help them feel welcome.

“It think it just shows how caring and compassionate our associates are in giving to others and taking care of others,” Deanna said.

“This is who we are. We love to care for our patients. They’re part of our family and we take care of them.”