JACKSONVILLE – About 70 volunteers spent Thanksgiving morning at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County to prepare hearty meals for shut-in seniors in Clay County. The hospital worked with the Council on Aging of Clay County to identify seniors in need who could stand to get a bit of holiday cheer. This marked the second year that the Catholic not-for-profit hospital has prepared Thanksgiving in Clay.

“We are fortunate to be able to live out our Mission to care for those who are struggling the most in ways that extend beyond healthcare,” said Mike Schatzlein, M.D., St. Vincent’s HealthCare president and chief executive officer. “I am so thankful to all of our associates who volunteer before and on Thanksgiving Day to provide these meals to our neighbors. This important work creates an opportunity for conversations and connections that might not otherwise occur.”

Meanwhile, St. Vincent’s Riverside prepared 500 meals for Meals on Wheels clients using 200 pounds of turkey, 150 pounds each of green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberries.

“We are excited to once again partner with St. Vincent’s Riverside and North Florida Transportation in what has become a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition,” said Teresa K. Barton, chief executive officer of Aging True, which spearheads Meals on Wheels. “The meals these volunteers make and deliver always make our clients so happy.”

The Clay effort was also carried out with the help of a number of students in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.