Volunteers Wanted – The Holiday Project, Share a couple of hours of your time on Christmas day!

The Holiday Project (www.holidayproject.org) is an all volunteer, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with visits in the metropolitan area. I have been a volunteer for this organization for 6 years and a member of the Steering committee. This year, I am organizing a visit to Cherrydale Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arlington on Christmas day. The holidays can be especially difficult for the elderly who are confined in institutions, nursing homes, and hospitals. Many in nursing homes are either too ill to leave the facility, some are alone or do not have relatives nearby, others just are not mobile enough to get around. As a Team leader, I am in the process of finalizing a group of volunteers who will bring some holiday cheers to elderly residents of Cherrydale Health and Rehabilitation Center. So far, our volunteer list consists of students from National Honor Society in Arlington, members of various churches, as well as many families, and individuals in Northern VA.

Special thanks to Ms. Donna Smith, Troop Leader Sally Maxwell, and 12 wonderful members of Girl Scout Troop 3725. I worked on other projects with Ms. Donna Smith who lives in our Vienna community. She mentioned that this would be a great program for the Girl Scouts. Ms. Smith who also has a daughter in Girl Scouts introduced me to Ms. Sally Maxwell, the Troop Leader for Girl Scout Troop 3725. Last Sunday, 12 young members of Girl Scout Troop 3725 held a “card making” party at Ms. Maxwell’s home in Vienna. The Girl Scouts volunteered their time to create 100 cards by hand for the elderly.

Girl Scout Troop members Laurel and Sophie both said “they were sad that the elderly did not have relatives visiting them for Christmas so they are making these cards to bring some smiles in their faces on Christmas day." 

Troop Leader Sally Maxwell said Girl Scout Troop 3725 volunteered their time to create cards for the elderly because it fits in nicely with the projects the Girl Scouts took on this year, “We want to find ways to help the community, to make it a better place to live in.”

We all have so many things to be thankful for -- our health, our family, our friends. Give back to the community; share your time with those who are not so fortunate. If you are looking to volunteer a couple of hours of your time on Christmas day, sing Christmas carols, and spend some time with the elderly, please contact me at crisj168@verizon.net for the limited slots available or visit the website, www.holidayproject.org, for visits in your area for the holidays. See also attached flyer. Happy Holidays to all!