For some area children, the winter season doesn't stir excitement over silvery snowflakes, but rather it marks a time when siblings may have to take turns sharing one of their family's most valuable commodities: a winter coat. The holiday season can bring harsh challenges for students in the Rocky Mount area who do not have winter coats and warm clothing to help them brave the icy breezes.

To help make the holidays warmer for students, Nash Health Care employees participated in the Coats for Kids appeal--- donating 425 coats to area children in need at Southern Nash Middle School.

The Coats for Kids appeal is conducted by the Leadership Rocky Mount class on behalf of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce.

Endoscopy Department employees at Nash Health Care donated more coats than any other hospital department, contributing 93 coats to the hospital's 425 total. In addition, two departments tied for giving the second highest number of coats; the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center and senior administrators each donated 53 coats.

"So many times, it's easy to forget that there are many in our own community who need basic items like coats. Distributing these coats to these very grateful students was an incredibly emotional and satisfying experience," said Bob Skelton, vice president and chief development officer of the Nash Health Care Foundation. "Special thanks to all our employees who participated, demonstrating that their generosity for helping extends far beyond the hospital walls."

Jennifer Stephenson (left), RN, an exercise specialist with Nash Health Care’s HealthFirst Wellness Center, and Bob Skelton (right), vice president and chief development officer of the Nash Health Care Foundation, unload bags of coats donated by hospital employees to the Coats for Kids appeal conducted by the Leadership Rocky Mount class on behalf of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce.