Each Christmas season, Barnes and Noble in Valparaiso donates some $3,000 in new books for residents at St. Francis Center, through a program in which customers are offered an opportunity at checkout to purchase a book to donate. “This donation makes the holidays extra-special for the kids. They love getting new books,” said Guadalupe Florez, second from right, St. Francis Center community relations specialist.
St. Francis Center is a residential behavioral treatment facility for youths, ages 12 through 18, located on the campus of Franciscan Health Dyer. With a total of 30 beds, the St. Francis Center offers two levels of adolescent residential care in a nurturing, therapeutic and secure environment. Also shown, from left are Laura Mannion, director of development for the Franciscan Health Foundation; and Sister Mary Joseph Watkins, St. Francis Center patient educator. They posed with a Curious George mascot at a recent Holiday Kick Off event at the store. For more information on St. Francis Center, call (219) 865-2141 ext. 45896
