La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) brought extra rays of sunshine to patients and their families during their first annual celebration of International Day of Happiness.

On Thursday, March 18th, volunteers, interns, and staff celebrated happiness in the LCH waiting areas in Kennett Square and Oxford. Patients and their children were invited to create happy portraits on paper plates, and take pictures of themselves and their work. Patients also wrote down things that made them happy, which were then posted all around the waiting area. Another game involved the throwing of a beach ball that was filled with different fun tasks. Depending on how patients caught the ball, they were asked to sing a song, do a silly dance, tell a joke, or share what makes them happy in their lives. Raffle prize drawings were available to patients throughout the entire day. LCH staff members wore yellow to help raise awareness about the day, and came out to participate in many of the activities with the patients.

Other nonprofits partnered with LCH to provide fun educational activities throughout LCH’s Happiness Day. Public Health Educator Lindsay Smith from the Chester County Health Department provided an interactive hand-washing demonstration to teach kids how to properly wash their hands. “To stay happy and healthy, remember to take your time when washing your hands,” she told a young girl. Jan Michener, Founder and Executive Director of Arts Holding Hearts Holding Hands, hosted interactive reading circles with children in the waiting room. She also led low-impact exercises. Jan commented, “These exercises help people of all ages find calmness and look at stressful situations in a more heartfelt way that adds joy and happiness to our lives.”

The celebration is at a global level. According to www.DayofHappiness.net, “All 193 United Nations member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given greater priority.” But the energy behind Day of Happiness in Kennett Square is thanks to Nancy Pia.  “Nancy’s creative, positive energy has inspired a new approach to building happiness and healthiness into our workplace,” said Alisa Jones, President and CEO of LCH. “Our Day of Happiness last week really shows just how impactful this approach can be, and how infectious happiness can be for our staff and our patients.” Nancy was happy to hear about the successful launch of Day of Happiness at LCH.  “Thank you, LCH, for helping to spread a little bit of happiness to make the world a better place.  LCH is a remarkable organization that makes the community proud,” she said.

This news release was published in The Daily Local.

Click here to view more great photos from LCH’s International Day of Happiness.