Community Corner

Holiday Volunteering: Spread Christmas Cheer To Those Without Visitors

It's not too late to volunteer with The Holiday Project to visit a hospital or nursing home in your area.

By Jane Lemons

While many people gather with friends and family during the holidays, others will spend the time alone. The Holiday Project aims to make sure that doesn't happen, and the organization is seeking help to do it.

The Holiday Project — a national nonprofit group that organizes visits to people in nursing homes, hospitals and other institutional care settings — needs volunteers for visits scheduled in Northern Virginia and Washington.

"A lot of times patients will receive a lot of attention in the weeks leading up to a holiday, but then when the holiday itself rolls around, the place is deserted," explained Robin Wiley, president of The Holiday Project of the National Capital Area. "That's why so many of our visits are on Christmas Day. We want patients to know that someone remembers them and cares  about them."

According to The Holiday Project, millions of people each year spend the holidays confined to institutions, and as the population ages, that number will increase. Many have outlived relatives and friends, or those people have moved away— making life a lonely experience with few opportunities to interact with others.

At the same time, other people are looking for ways to make their holidays more fulfilling. The Holiday Project provides a way to connect those who need support with those who want to give back to their community.

The organization puts it this way: "Our goal is to make visits to people in institutions an integral part of America’s holiday experience and to bring the spirit of a holiday to people who otherwise would not have a celebration."

And it's not too late to volunteer. "You can sign up as late as Christmas Eve," Wiley said. "Children and even pets are permitted at some visit sites." 

Volunteers are needed to organize visits, as well as to participate on visit teams.   For more information, call (703) 370-0370 or visit The Holiday Project website at www.holidayproject.info.

Volunteers are still needed for these visits scheduled throughout the area:

Thurs., Dec. 19, 10 a.m.
Fredericksburg
Emeritus at Wilburn Gardens
3500 Meekins Drive 22407
Visit Team Leader: Kathy Marcus
540-972-2042 or ksmgcm@gmail.com

Sun., Dec. 22, 1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Falls Church
Powhatan Nursing Home
2100 Powhatan Street
Visit Team Leader: Greg Johnson
Surge Community Church
573-239-8412 or Greg.JohnsonG@gmail.com

Wed., Dec. 25, 8 - 11 a.m.
DC Northeast
Hospital for Sick Children
1731 Bunker Hill Road NE 20017
Only 10 volunteers needed, ages 13 and over.
On Site Contact: Denise Bess
202-635-6191
RSVP by Mon., Dec., 16.

Wed., Dec. 25, 9 a.m.
Fredericksburg
Click here for more information.

Wed., Dec. 25, 9:15 - 11:45 a.m.
Northwest DC
VA Hospital Retirement Home
Next to Children's Hospital
50 Irving Street
Visit Team Leader: Santa Rich
240-838-0375 or landonrich21@yahoo.com

Wed., Dec. 25, 10:25 a.m. - 12 noon
Arlington
Cherrydale Health and Rehabilitation Center
3710 Lee Highway 22207
Children and dogs with shot records welcome.
Visit Team Leader: Leo Surla
leosurla@metametrics.com or 202 544-4396

Wed., Dec. 25, 11:30 a.m.
McLean
Vinson Hall, Arleigh Burke Pavilion
1728 Kirby Road 22101
Children welcome. No pets.
Visit Team Leader: Robyn Light
hammerlight.hammer@verizon.net

Wed., Dec. 25, 12 noon - 2 p.m.
Northwest DC
Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street, NW 20010
Must be at least 16 years old.
Visit Team Leader: Roger Thiel
202-328-3286 or Holidayprojectdc@hotmail.com
Type "THIEL" in the subject line.

Wed., Dec. 25, 1 - 3 p.m.
Annandale
Golden Circle at Sleepy Hollow
6700 Columbia Pike 22003
No pets.
Visit Team Leader: Nancy Newman
703-533-0366 or Holidayprojectdc@hotmail.com
Type "NEWMAN" in the subject line.

Wed., Dec. 25, 5 - 6 p.m.
Leesburg
Heritage Hall Care Center
122 Morven Park Road 20176
Visit Team Leader: Josh Stevenson
jman032198@gmail.com


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