Local residents can play Santa this holiday season by delivering special gift bags to isolated seniors and people with disabilities in our community. Each year, Project Linkage, a program of Metropolitan Family Service, organizes the Holiday Cheer event that provides gifts for adults. “For many of these people, this is the only gift they will receive” according to Marcy Hughes, program coordinator. The 200+ seniors that benefit from this program live here in NE Portland, and the wrapping event will be held here as well.
The gift bags are a true labor of love. Volunteers with the National Charity League decorate the paper bags, and make special cards. Individuals make homemade gifts, and businesses donate items. A lot of basic necessities are included in each bag, as many of the recipients are experiencing economic hardships. “We have people who make quilts, or donate scarves or soap” said Hughes. Each bag also includes homemade bread or treats depending on the dietary needs of the individual.
On Saturday, December 7th, a local community room is transformed into Santa’s workshop where volunteers merrily wrap every item and fill the gift bags. In just over two hours, all the gifts are wrapped and the bags are ready to go. Delivering each gift bag is the heart of Holiday Cheer. Volunteers sign up in the fall to deliver the gifts and visit with the recipients during the holiday season. “The true gift is not the items they receive, but the time that the volunteer spends with them” said Hughes. Gift bags are delivered by volunteers between December 10th and December 24th.
The wrapping event and the delivering the bags are both wonderful ways for families and friends to come together to make a difference for others during the holidays. People are encouraged to sign up today to participate in this year’s Holiday Cheer. These opportunities fill quickly. Call 503.232.0007 ext. 222 for more information, or email volunteer@metfamily.org.