Patient First‘s commitment to the community goes beyond providing convenient, cost-effective health care. Patient First also supports numerous organizations that make a positive impact in our local neighborhoods and across the mid-Atlantic.
See what Patient First is doing in the community.
Each year Patient First identifies a few local schools near our centers to provide a monetary gift that we know each appreciates, and needs to bring something a little extra to the school or classroom. This year was no exception. On a recent visit to Sheridan Elementary School in Allentown, PA, the principal, Ms. Lesko, and students surprised us with a holiday gratitude card to say thanks for our gift. “Grateful … Thankful … Kind … Nice” are just a few sentiments from the students at Sheridan. Sheridan’s Parent Teacher Organization will purchase a Sheridan shirt for each student in the school to support school spirit and for students to wear on special occasions. This will be made possible through Patient First’s gift.
See more news and event photos here.
We have participated in Hanover Township Community Center’s Winter Tree Lighting event in previous years, but there was something extra magical about being there this year. This Bethlehem, PA neighborhood really comes together to celebrate the holiday season, and we were so excited to return this year and be part of the fun (and of course the hot dogs, hot chocolate, cookies … and Santa and his reindeer, too). We so enjoy returning to participate in events at this location since the Township folks and Community Center staff are outstanding to work with. AND … the Center is almost within walking distance of our Bethlehem center. We are looking forward to returning for more fun and events there in the Spring 2022!
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas all down Broad Street on Saturday, December 4th as the 38th Annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade took place. Thousands of onlookers flooded the sidewalks to witness the procession down the streets of downtown Richmond. This year over 20 Patient First employees helped carry the giant Kung Fu Panda balloon as the crowd cheered with excitement. Although the parade could not take place last year due to the pandemic, that had no effect on the outcome of participation from companies and supporters this year. An estimated over 200,000 people were in attendance. People were definitely in the holiday spirit and filled with cheer. From our family to yours, Patient First would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays.
Cold weather and strong winds did not keep about 75 hearty runners, ranging in age from 11 to 67, from participating in this year’s Wildcat Foundation Leftover Turkey Trot. Patient First was the presenting sponsor for the event, now in its second year. Held at the Memorial Park Stadium in Mechanicsburg, the event featured a 5k road and trail run, a 1.5 mile Family Fun Run and Walk, and was staggered throughout the morning in order to accommodate Covid safety protocols.
The event is hosted by the Wildcat Foundation, an education foundation that provides financial support to the Mechanicsburg Area School District. Despite the less than ideal running conditions, organizers deemed the event a great success!
Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt was launched in 1993 and has become a popular holiday destination drawing more than one million visitors over the past 25+ years. It is a one-of-a-kind family event that celebrates the spirit of the season, and was twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure.
This year, the event experienced something new. Us! Patient First was able to participate for the first time during “Opening Weekend” as a day vendor, and it was great fun. The event began on Friday, November 19 and runs every weekend until December 19, 2021.
Although we were there for just a day, we joined more than 100 other vendors who will be on site for the run of the event. For us, it was a day well spent. We heard from folks who had great experiences at our Patient First locations throughout the Lehigh Valley and all over Pennsylvania. We also had visitors from New Jersey and Maryland stop by our tent for a chat, and to pick up some of our ever-popular give away items.
The entire environment really put all of us in the holiday spirit with so many lights, decorated trees, ornaments, ice carvers, and more! It became even more spectacular when dusk approached and all of the lights become even more visible. It was a sight to behold and enjoyable for young and old alike. It was an impressive event with big crowds they tell us get even heavier closer to Christmas. We hope to return in 2022.
The Virginia Peninsula Food bank relies heavily on the community to help combat food scarcity in the Hampton Roads area. Patient First was proud to join the food bank as they hosted the 25th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive. This is a three day event that raises money and collects donated food items at multiple locations for Thanksgiving. With Patient First’s donation, it will help to provide 4,000 meals to families in need. We were excited to volunteer in the community and grateful to be a part of such a great cause.
Troopster is a non-profit organization that sends care packages to deployed troops. Since its inception in 2015, Troopster has sent thousands of packages to service members worldwide. Patient First employs many members of the military community and the founder is also a military veteran, so this event was meaningful. The boxes that Patient First packed will reach combat medics, navy corpsmen and members of the border patrol in Arizona, Kuwait, Iraq and Africa. Remembering those who fight to protect our country but are away from their families during the holidays made this a gratifying experience.
We have participated in Elmwood Park Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo” event in Norristown, PA many times over the years and it has always been a great event. This year’s event was likely to be the largest attendance we’ve experienced there yet. Parents and children who visited in their Trick or Treat costumes made it an extra fun event for us.
We were one of 18 vendor stations at the event where kids could Trick or Treat throughout the Zoo. Even though we didn’t give out candy, parents and kids alike were excited to receive our Band-Aids and blinkers, and we distributed lots of them. It always makes us feel good when we have conversations about Patient First and what we do when most people we talk with are already familiar with us! At this event we were excited to learn about positive experiences folks have had in our centers from as far away as Hamilton NJ, Bethlehem, Springfield and of course ones closer to the Zoo like East Norriton and Collegeville.
How many days until Halloween season 2022? We are already looking forward to participating again.
For the past 15 years, Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley has been providing sports and social activities year-round for hundreds of children and young adults with special needs. The organization was founded on the principles of inclusion, building self-esteem, and that everyone deserves a chance to play baseball … and, they continue to uphold those values today. On Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, it was Trick or Treat Night for the children, and we were so happy to participate in this heartwarming event. We enjoyed seeing the amazing costumes and met some amazing children and their families. Other vendors who participated in this event with us were equally as happy to be there, and we are all already looking forward to returning next year.