VITAL GIFT BOXES HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES DONATE SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - Antelope Valley Hospital employees showed their belief in the adage that it is better to give than to receive with their latest charitable project: a ``shoe box'' drive for the Grace Resource Center.

Between Nov. 14 and 18, hospital employees brought in more than 100 shoe boxes filled with personal hygiene items that are often difficult for agencies like Grace Resource Center to maintain in adequate supply.

Soap, toothpaste, diapers, shampoo, antiperspirant and many other personal supplies were loaded in shoe boxes and delivered to the nonprofit Lancaster center, which will distribute them to people in need throughout the Antelope Valley.

``People ask us for these things every day, but we can't afford to buy them,'' Grace Resource Center executive director Steve Baker said. ``Now, we can put them on a shelf and hand them out as needed. The hospital came up with this idea, and we're very thankful for their creative thinking and generosity.''

Grace Resource Center provides food and other resources to the homeless or near-homeless, unemployed and needy Antelope Valley families.

``There are many food drives at Thanksgiving, so we decided to collect items that are often forgotten at the holidays,'' said hospital marketing coordinator Laura Young, who spearheaded the drive said. ``We're very pleased with the response, since employees only had a short window of time in which to bring their donations.''

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(color) Antelope Valley Hospital employees donated more than 100 shoe boxes of personal hygiene items for the Grace Resource Center.