PORT JERVIS, NY (December 1) – On Tuesday evening, December 1, Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY hosted a tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with members of the community and staff.
There was a light rain outside that night but guests, including Mayor Kelly Decker, first enjoyed a festive celebration indoors in the hospital's cafeteria dining area with traditional Christmas carols sung buy the Port Jervis High School Members of the Chamber Choir.
After an invocation by Chaplain Rev. Patt Kauffman and a welcoming address by Bon Secours Charity Health System CEO Dr. Mary Leahy, everyone headed outside to brave the rain for a brief tree lighting ceremony. But then came the surprise.
As the group gathered outside and the Choir continued their caroling, a Port Jervis Police Department vehicle with lights flashing, pulled up by the main entrance of the hospital. And, to the delight of the children as well as the adults, out stepped Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Following the countdown and tree lighting everyone returned back inside to enjoy a reception and refreshments along with additional Christmas music. And during the celebration Santa and Mrs. Claus graciously posed for photographs and distributed gifts to the children.
About Bon Secours Charity Health System
Every year, nearly one million people in the lower Hudson Valley, New Jersey and Pennsylvania turn to Bon Secours Charity Health System (BSCHS) for innovative healthcare delivered with compassion. BSCHS has received national recognition, rankings and numerous awards for the level of care it provides.
BSCHS is comprised of Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY; Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY; St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY; a certified home health agency; two long-term care facilities; an assisted living/adult home facility and several other medical
programs located throughout the region. The system employs more than 3,400, making it one of the region's largest employers
Bon Secours Medical Group is BSCHS's regional network of nearly 80 primary care physicians and specialists from a broad array of medical disciplines. These skilled clinicians play a central role in bringing personalized, preventive and expert care to people from every stage of life.
BSCHS is a member of the Bon Secours Health System—a national Catholic healthcare system with a strong reputation and robust commitment to bringing compassionate healthcare to those in need. For more information, visit
www.BSCHS.BonSecours.com. For a complete list of practitioners, visit
http://bschs.org/find-a-physician-bon-secours-medical-group.html
PHOTOS:
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1. On Tuesday evening, December 1, Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY hosted a tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with members of the community and staff.
2. There was a light rain outside that night but guests, including Mayor Kelly Decker, first enjoyed a festive celebration indoors in the hospital's cafeteria dining area with traditional Christmas carols sung buy the Port Jervis High School Members of the Chamber Choir.
3. Chaplain Rev. Patt Kauffman gave the invocation.
4. Chaplain Rev. Patt Kauffman (far left) gave the invocation.
5. To the delight of the children as well as the adults, Santa and Mrs. Claus made a surprise visit.
6. The countdown and tree lighting.
7. During the celebration Santa and Mrs. Claus graciously posed for photographs and distributed gifts to the children.
8. Following the countdown and tree lighting everyone returned back inside to enjoy a reception and refreshments along with additional Christmas music.