Schreiber Christmas Project Reaches Out to Vulnerable Families

(LANCASTER, Pa.) – Each year during the holiday season, Schreiber Pediatric’s Social Services Department launches Operation Christmas Project. The program is designed to bring a little extra holiday cheer to some of the more vulnerable families with special needs children who receive services at the Center. This year’s project will reach out to nearly 100 families and give wrapped toys and clothing to some very deserving little ones.

The way Operation Christmas Project works is simple. Therapists at the Center, who work closely with the children and their families day-to-day and know their circumstances, submit the names of families who could use some extra cheer during the holiday season. These families have children with severe disabilities, are low income households and often have additional financial strain due to medical expenses. The therapists are encouraged to also include suggestions on specific gifts that will complement the therapeutic process, and motivate the child.

Many local organizations, like the Kiwanis Club of Lititz, Red Rose Lodge #16 Fraternal Order of Police, Nielsen Company and Lancaster Liederkranz, have given generously to this year’s Operation Christmas Project and the Center and these families are grateful. However, as Social Services Director, Jennifer Bachman, points out, “Economic times are tough and some of these families are in need of other necessities like food or propane gas to get through these next couple of months and we would love to bless them with just a little more.” Schreiber is hoping to collect additionally monetary donations this year to gift to these families. For more information, please contact the Center at 717-393-0425.

Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with congenital and acquired disabilities and developmental delays.