At the Laurel Eye Clinic we raise money for the local food pantry with our Festive Favors–small trinkets that are donated by an employee. Employees can make a monetary donation in exchange for a Festive Favor, with the proceeds going to the food pantry. Examples of favors are baked goods, craft items, and ornaments. At the same time, we also collect non-perishable food items to donate as well. At the end of the holiday season, we present the food pantry with a check and the donated food items.

Each year I created a photo album celebrating that year in the practice from pictures of the staff taken throughout the year (celebrations, staff meetings, Race for the Cure, certification ceremonies). Each staff member was represented. Staff celebrating a major anniversary (every 5 years) and the physicians all received a book. The patients enjoyed the copies we got for each of our lobbies. While it was a lot of work, it gave me great pleasure to watch everyone reading the books at our holiday party.