December 22, 2000

It looked like any other children's holiday party held this time of year — cookies and punch were served, parents chatted with each other while the kids scurried to get in line to sit on Santa's lap. But for many of these kids who gathered for a party at MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center Dec. 13, the presents distributed by Santa would be the only gifts they would receive.

The children are part of the MGH Charlestown YouthCare program (formerly known as Camp Bunker Hill), which provides therapeutic summer camp and after-school programs for youth who have trouble functioning in traditional community programs. More than 85 percent of the kids come from families that fall at or below federal poverty levels.

Every year since 1975, children involved in the program have been the recipients of such holiday-time generosity, courtesy of MGH and Partners employees.

Sylvia Kristal, administrative director of the program, coordinates the holiday festivities by giving the names, ages, gender and gift ideas for the children to 60 Partners and MGH employees who volunteer to buy gifts ranging from the necessities like clothing to toys and games.

"Now I get so many requests for kids' names that I actually run out of names to give," says Kristal. "I am humbled each year by the generosity and selflessness of MGH and Partners employees." Some of the departments involved include Neurophysiology, Emergency Services, Information Systems, Police and Security at CNY, Partners staff at the Prudential Center, the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization and the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center.

Terri DePaoli, an assistant in MGH Neurophysiology, remembers when her parents gave presents to the program in its early days. Now she distributes the children's names not only to co-workers but also to former employees and her own friends and family. "It is heartwarming that so many people want to give unconditionally to these children," says DePaoli. "Getting just one gift from someone who cares is so special to them. And the real heroes are the little elves who make this happen."

Many employees from the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center, where YouthCare is based, also contribute to the holiday program. Claire Conlan, assistant administrative director for the health center and a board member for YouthCare, recalls that last year the program received a grant to take some of the children to the White Mountains for a nature exploration trip, and none of the children had adequately warm clothing to wear. Health center employees bought winter coats, socks, gloves, hats, scarves and turtlenecks, so that the children — many of whom had never been outside the city — could enjoy the trip.

"Many of these children have a lot of issues — educational and social — and if it wasn't for YouthCare, they wouldn't have a place to go," says Conlan. "Even getting just a warm sweater is a special treat to them. And the staff here are very committed and generous to the program — not just during the holidays but all year round."

For more information about YouthCare, call 724-8241.