Whether it be tangible gifts or gifts of love and kindness, the holidays are about giving. Many of us get caught up in the trappings of the season, focusing on buying the latest and greatest gadgets and toys for our children that they will forget about come February. With this focus on things, it is easy to forget that kind thoughts and gestures go a long way to brighten someone’s holiday season.

Hope Kemp-Hanson, a fifth grader at State Bridge Elementary School, has not forgotten…

This year, Hope embarked on a mission to collect holiday cards for those people who will spend their holiday seasons in a hospital room. A Junior Girl Scout, member of student government and an accomplished soccer player for the Norcross Soccer Association U11 Gold Fury Team, Hope knows what it means to be dedicated to a goal. She was able to get her school, including Principal Trey Martin and Vice Principal Dr. Renay Dixon, on board with the card project, creating an internal contest among the various classes. As an incentive to participate, Hope acquired Vic’s Pizza in Duluth as a sponsor, encouraging card collection by offering two pizza parties for a raffle. It is no surprise that Hope’s class, led by Ms. Melissa Greene, collected the most cards in the school.

“This is the second year Hope has collected cards,” said April Kemp, Hope’s mother. “She is so passionate about this project, and the response has been absolutely amazing.” Last year, Hope collected cards for just one facility. With the support she received and the abundance of cards she collected this year, Hope decided to expand her holiday giving to other local hospitals. Enter North Fulton Regional Hospital.

“When I got the call, I knew this was a project we wanted to be a part of,” said Joanna Stotter, Marketing Coordinator for North Fulton Regional Hospital. “Our volunteers are very excited to distribute Hope’s cards, and we are all so thankful for her generous holiday spirit. She will bring many smiles to our patients!”

Hope plans to continue this project in the years to come with the intent of increasing the amount she is able to distribute to those who are hospitalized over the holidays. Reflecting on this endeavor, April Kemp cannot help but express pride for her daughter’s giving actions.

“She has such a kind heart, and I am so pleased that we’ve been able to find hospitals that are excited to participate. She loves to make people feel good

North Fulton Regional Hospital (NFRH), part of Tenet Georgia, is a 202-bed, acute-care
hospital located on Highway 9, Alpharetta Highway, in Roswell. Opened in 1983, NFRH serves North Fulton and surrounding counties through its team of over 1000 employees, 400 staff physicians and 200 volunteers. NFRH is a state-designated Level II trauma center and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, orthopedics, rehabilitation, surgical services, bariatric surgical weight loss, gastroenterology and oncology. The hospital is fully accredited and also is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.

For more information about North Fulton Regional Hospital, call 770-751-2500, or visit www.northfultonregional.com.