ARH Partners with Direct2Kids to Provide Christmas Toys
ARH Partners with Direct2Kids to Provide Christmas Toys
September 20th, 2023,
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) has partnered with Kentucky-based Direct2Kids to provide toys for Christmas that will be distributed directly to children in Eastern Kentucky.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to give back to kids in our communities,” said Todd White from ARH. “Direct2Kids is a great organization, and we are always happy to partner with organizations focused on impacting and improving Appalachia,” he continued.
Direct2Kids was started around 2017 by Richard Shadwick in Lexington after a trip to Eastern Kentucky. “I found myself in the hills of Hyden where I saw 3 little boys that were living in cardboard boxes,” Shadwick said. “I wondered if they had winter coats and what they needed and if they received gifts on Christmas morning,” he continued.
Shadwick set out to ensure that children not only received an age-appropriate gift on Christmas, but that they can get a coat, hat, gloves, socks, and undergarments. Direct2Kids was born from the idea that these items should go directly to the kids that need them.
“We knew that the toys we received from Good 360 would find a wonderful home through Direct2Kids,” said Todd White.
Direct2Kids will distribute the toys from ARH, along with the other donations, to children in Eastern Kentucky thanks to partnerships with ARH, local churches, and volunteers.
“We hope that anyone interested in adopting a child and ensuring they get what they need for Christmas will join us the Friday after Thanksgiving from 6-10 PM at Copper Roux in Lexington,” said Shadwick.
Those interested in adopting a child for the Direct2Kid program can attend the event at Copper Roux and help support the efforts of Direct2Kid and ARH.