For many people, the Christmas season is a time for friends and family. What would the holidays be without loved ones gathering together for holiday parties and traditional family celebrations?
However, there are people who have no one to celebrate with. Many will spend a lonely Christmas day in their hospital beds or nursing home or shelter.
Each year, thousands of people offer their time to charities and their clients during the holidays. But, a huge percentage of those volunteers want to serve food at homeless shelters only on Christmas day.
Serving food is a worthwhile and much needed volunteer task, but with the limited number of shelters and limited number of mouths to feed not everyone can serve food on Christmas day.
So what can you do to make a difference this holiday season? Share your time with people who have no friends and family.
Go caroling from room to room at a nursing home. Cindy Wabner, special events coordinator for Juliette Fowler Homes in East Dallas, says her residents would love to hear the sound of “Jingle Bells” drifting down the halls.
If you are not musically inclined, just drop by and visit the residents. According to the Texas Department on Aging, 60 percent of nursing home residents receive no visitors at any time during the year. Imagine the residents’ delight when you arrive to spend time just with them.
Wabner says gifts are not necessary. However, if you want to bring something, she says even a peppermint stick tied with a bow would be appreciated. The residents live on limited incomes and often cannot afford such treats.
A.R.T.S. for People provides artistic, recreational and therapeutic services to individuals in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the year, especially during the holidays.
“Anyone with a talent is welcome to provide entertainment at a hospital or nursing home for the holidays,” says Linda Griffin, volunteer coordinator for A.R.T.S. She says carolers, piano players and other musicians are a special treat for hospital patients and senior citizens.
But, seniors are not the only ones who will be without friends and family during the holidays. The Texas Youth Commission, an agency that rehabilitates and supervises youths who are adjudicated and committed to the Commission by the courts, needs volunteers. The Commission’s goal is to provide troubled youths with skills and support that help them re-establish themselves in the community.
“Last year, 12 out of the 24 kids could not go home for Christmas,” says Kaycee Pollock, volunteer coordinator for the Commission. “It would be great if volunteers could come and be their families for the day.”
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, volunteers can bring dinner for the youths or just hang out. If you’re the jolly type, why not dress as Santa Claus or one of his elves? These children would love a visit from jolly ol’ Saint Nick.
Many of the children at Buckner Children’s Home also have no place to go for the holidays. The children live in the residential care center because they are abused, deserted or have behavioral problems.
Donnita Fisher, volunteer coordinator for the home, says Christmas Day activities have been planned, but volunteers are needed for Christmas Eve.
“Groups could come and throw a special Christmas Eve party so the children wouldn’t feel abandoned,” Fisher says. “It would be great to give the kids something to do besides watching television.”
A Christmas Eve party doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Bring a football, play Pictionary, pop some popcorn or work on a Christmas crafts project. If you are willing to offer your time, volunteer coordinators at nursing homes and residential centers are happy to work with you to plan a fun and festive event for their clients.
The list of people to be helped during the holidays goes on and on. Parkland Hospital needs volunteers to fill in for other volunteers. The Visiting Nurses Association needs drivers to deliver meals on Christmas Eve. Several other hospitals, nursing homes and residential centers need volunteers to visit with their clients on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
If you are interested in helping one of these agencies, call the Volunteer Center of Dallas at 826-6767 for information.
