Annual stuffed animal deliveries, community giving, and a 25-yearChristmas Eve tradition  reflect the organization’s deep commitment to service

GREENVILLE, OH (12-28-25) — While families gathered around their Christmas trees at home, the elves of Spirit EMS were out delivering holiday joy to those unable to be with loved ones—bringing comfort, companionship, and warm smiles to shut-ins across area hospitals and nursing homes.


 Spirit EMS Paramedic and Education Coordinator Scott Wolf shares a cheerful moment at Trustwell Living at Oakley Place in Greenville on Christmas Day as a resident looks over her new stuffed animal. Wolf said the joy on residents’ faces made the day feel like “spreading Christmas cheer like butter.”

Throughout December, Spirit EMS employees and caring community members collected more than 200 stuffed animals to ensure no patient woke up on Christmas morning feeling forgotten. With ambulances packed full of donated gifts, crews traveled across Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana, sharing Christmas cheer and reminding residents that they are seen, valued, and remembered.

“This effort has grown into a cherished annual tradition,” said Spirit EMS President and CEO Brian K. Hathaway. “It’s embraced by our employees, who look forward to it each year. Many of them say the joy on patients’ faces is something they never forget, making this one of the most meaningful parts of their holiday season.”

Hathaway described the deep sense of purpose the day brings.

“Christmas is my favorite time of year,” he said. “There’s something incredibly special about watching our team live out our motto—‘Our Family Taking Care of Your Family.’ As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, it is heartwarming to bring comfort, hope, and faith to those who need it most. Sometimes, knowing someone took the time to show they care makes all the difference.”

Spirit EMS Paramedic Scott Wolf summed up the mood with a smile, joking, “We’re spreading Christmas cheer like butter today!”

In addition to delivering stuffed animals, Spirit EMS also collected canned food and non-perishable items to support local food pantries, extending the spirit of giving beyond Christmas morning.

This year, Spirit EMS further expanded its outreach by participating in Operation Santa’s Sleigh on December 23—a statewide initiative to bring holiday cheer to children, families, and medical staff at Dayton Children’s Medical Center. Spirit EMS contributed two ambulances to the glowing Parade of Lights, joining hundreds of other emergency service vehicles from across Ohio.

Representing Spirit EMS in the parade were Houston-based EMTs Jeff Manning and Jessica Park. Park shared that participating in Operation Santa’s Sleigh was something she had always hoped to do. Making the night even more meaningful, she brought her son—an active member of a fire explorer program—creating a memory they will both cherish.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team for continuing to give back, spread joy, and show the genuine heart behind what they do every day,” Hathaway said. “This is what community, compassion, and Spirit EMS are all about.”

Hathaway is no stranger to Christmas traditions that uplift the community. For the past 25 years, he has maintained a Christmas Eve tradition treasured by first responders, scanner listeners, and local families. In addition to leading Spirit EMS, Hathaway has served as a dispatcher for the Darke County Sheriff’s Office since 1999. Early in his career, he began preparing a special Christmas Eve BOLO—a whimsical message alerting listeners to Santa’s low-flying sleigh across Darke County.

At 8 p.m. and again at Midnight, scanner listeners pause—from living rooms to firehouses to cruiser seats—to hear the beloved broadcast. The moment has become a reminder of what the season represents: family, community, and caring for one another.