CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — A group of people from Northern Kentucky's largest health care provider spent most of Monday making the holidays a little warmer for people in need. 

St. Elizabeth’s “Caring for our Community” day was a little different this year, but just as effective in gathering resources that could be life changing for some families.

In lieu of the St. Elizabeth Foundation’s yearly Holiday Style Show & Luncheon, it instead opted for a day of giving back to people in need at the Crestview Hills Town Center.

The event included a food drive to benefit Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and a coat drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul.

At the neighboring Dillard’s, a portion of holiday shopping proceeds benefited St. E’s Associate Holiday Fund. And a silent auction supported programs and service within the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center

Donors John Domaschko said the satisfaction of helping others also helped him clear out some space at home.

“It just happened to coincide with our cleaning out a closet. So it’s a win-win,” he said. “You can’t help but feel like anything you do for people that don’t have a home is not enough. But at least it’s something. So it does feel good to do a little something. Especially on a cold day like today, imagining what it would be like to not have a coat.”

Event coordinator Emily Lusk said she was happy to be part of these efforts to make a difference in people’s lives.

“It’s been a really hard year for everybody. So the fact that we have people showing up to care for each other, I think, is the biggest reward that you could ever ask for, from a personal standpoint, as well as a professional standpoint. The fact that we have so many people dropping off coats, and dropping off food, it kind of gives you that renewed sense of hope and community and care,” Lusk said.

Anyone who missed the event can give monetarily to the partnering organizations.