Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems’ New Day Recovery (NDR) Tazewell hosted a successful toy drive for needy children at Richland Elementary School in Richlands, Va.
New Day Recovery Tazewell accepted new and gently used toys for all ages during the month of November until December 14, 2023. Toys were received from local businesses, churches, and several people in the community.
New Day Recovery’s Behavioral Health Supervisor, Ami Deel-Sanders, LPC, CSAC, “Our first ever New Day Recovery Toy Drive was a complete success! Our patients and we (mostly them) put in a lot of time and prayers and when it came down to the wire, we had a waiting room full of toys. We thank Ramey’s Chevrolet in Richlands, The Voice Newspaper, WGTH, Randy’s Gateway, and Destiny Outreach for their donations. We also thank every person and each other business, radio station, and news station that donated, let us hang a flyer, and/or helped us advertise. We honestly couldn’t have done this great work without the support of our community.”
The toy drive affected many people within the community, including community members and New Day Recovery Tazewell patients.
One patient stated – “I handed out flyers for week and I about gave up and then it happened. People waited until the last minute and then it happened. It is really all about the children. To just see the look the kids’ faces makes it all worth it. I would had out flyers every day for the kids. All the work is worth it for the children.”
Deel-Sanders was able to take a car full of toys on December 15, 2023 to Richlands Elementary School to share with the students there.
“I had made contact with Lisa Simmons, their guidance counselor, and asked if they would be willing to share the toys we received with their students, which she graciously accepted. When I arrived they were completely surprised at the amount of toys we had brought,” Deel-Sanders said.
Deel-Sanders said that acts of community service for the community has a positive impact on patients’ recovery and for the community as a whole.
“This small act of kindness has made a huge impact on New Day Recovery Tazewell as a whole! We had our faith tested for just a moment, some almost gave up, and we all kept going; and with a lot of positive talks, work, and patience our first toy drive was a success. Our patients are already beginning to plan their next endeavor on how they can give back to their community, and I couldn’t be more proud of them!,” Deel-Sanders said.
Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems has locations in Saltville, Meadowview, Tazewell, and Bristol and New Day Recovery locations in Saltville, Bristol, and Tazewell. To schedule an appointment, please contact 276-496-4492.
