Originally appeared on Mayo Clinic News Center

While Mayo supports its local communities throughout the year, it steps up in December to help families with unmet needs. This year, Mayo made a special delivery to the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester.

When Mayo Clinic joined the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester for its annual holiday party on Dec. 13, something special was in the works.

This year, Mayo Clinic donated the funds for all the gifts for every child at Boys & Girls Club of Rochester as part of Mayo’s “Season of Giving” community outreach.

As a special treat, staff from Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service roped Santa into delivering presents to the kids who enthusiastically ran outside to greet him. The kids also got a chance to take a tour of the ambulance and learn from Mayo Clinic paramedics.

The holiday party is a long-held tradition. Boys & Girls Club of Rochester has hosted the party for members and their families for the last 18 years. This year, organizations such as Mayo Clinic stepped up in a big way.

“The difference Mayo Clinic makes for our kids is incredible, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
-Chad Campbell

“It was so fun to see the kids’ faces when they received their gifts from the Mayo Clinic Ambulance crew,” says Chad Campbell, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Rochester. “We appreciate the many Mayo Clinic employees who devote hours of volunteer time each year. The difference Mayo Clinic makes for our kids is incredible, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

While toys and games can make up a big part of holiday wishes, for some, it is as basic as a wish for a toddler bed for a little girl who had outgrown her crib.

With additional funds from Mayo Clinic, Boys & Girls Club of Rochester was able to purchase a toddler bed for the little girl and her family.

This is just one example of how this holiday party is more than just a get-together. It’s a community coming together to help each other during the holiday season.

While Mayo supports its local communities throughout the year, it steps up in December to help families with unfulfilled needs.