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Kindred Hospital of St. Louis’ gift to keep children warm was something that warmed the hearts of staff and administrators at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start Discovery Center. 

Hospital representatives visited the Discovery Center on Thursday, Jan. 30 and donated 17 coats and three sets of gloves. 

“We operate by six core values at the hospital,” said Kindred CEO Kevin Shrake. “These values are important internally, but we felt we needed to extend them outside of the four walls of our organization.” 

Kindred’s core values are:

• Be kinder than expected
• Create Fun in What You Do
• Respect Individuality to Create the Team
• Give Your Best
• Stay Focused on the Patient
• Do the Right Thing Always 

“In working on community programs and projects, we partnered with some businesses in the Central West End to do a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk last month,” said Shrake. “During the walk, we distributed coats and gloves to adults. Then the National Council of Jewish Women of St. Louis donated children’s coats to the hospital.” 

Making the connection to children who could use the outerwear was former Head Start family engagement specialist Alex Minor. 

“I worked for two years for SIUE Head Start and was always checking on families to see what their needs were,” said Minor, Kindred patient relations representative. “I thought Head Start would be the perfect place for us to donate the coats.” 

“We knew we wouldn’t have enough coats and gloves for every child,” said Yolanda Miller, Kindred administrative assistant, “but every child received a Valentine’s gift bag.”

“This was awfully nice,” said Michelle Batee, of East St. Louis, mother of Discovery Center student three-year-old Ariyah Tolden. “I was so grateful when I got the text that they would be giving out coats. Head Start is always doing something to help parents out.” 

“We are always excited when organizations partner with us to generously give to our families and children,” said Discovery Center Coordinator Heidi Eichenseer. “The coats are greatly appreciated, and the children’s smiles definitely show their appreciation. Thank you, Kindred Hospital!” 

Photos:
Kindred Hospital of St. Louis gave free coats and gloves to children at the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Discovery Center. 

Three-year-old Ariyah Tolden (right) holds a thank you sign and four-year-old Jordan Martin holds on to his new coat.