GEORGETOWN, De-
The holiday season gets everyone in the giving mood. Charitable donations and volunteering are at a high. But after Christmas, many organizations are scraping for volunteers.
One local organization that gives all year long is CHEER. Members and volunteers are have been working all Christmas Eve, organizing presents, fruit baskets, poinsettias, and other gifts to deliver to older adults on Christmas day.
Fruit Baskets
"I deliver with my family and some houses, there was no sign of Christmas anywhere in their home. And when you walk in, and they see that gift and see that fruit basket, they break down into tears. They are so happy that somebody took the time to care," said member of CHEER, Florence Mason.
Operation Christmas Cheer brings delivers all the gifts, and many times spends some time with the older adult they're delivering too. Making sure the Christmas spirit is ignited.
Gifts
"This is a season where many seniors get depressed because their family lives away, they cant get to them, or they don't have any. Us coming in brightens up their day," said Mason.
Members of Elohim Community Development at Jesus is Lord Church are busy for the holiday season too.
Recipients of Bless Our Children, they collect presents for children and families.
"We help let them know, we know this is about giving and we want you to feel it. This isn't just about giving a toy," said Director/ Outreach Coordinator, Patricia Kasinath.
Bags of Toys
The gifts are distributed Christmas morning. The church then has food, refreshments, and sing Christmas carols.
"When everybody leaves, we want to them to have joy that they can hang on to after that day," said Kasinath.
Even after Christmas is over, there are still people in need.
"To be honest with you, we do this Christmas day but we need volunteers all year long. We deliver meals every day. We do 17-hundred meals across the county everyday. We need and depend on volunteers," said Mason.
To find out how to volunteer with CHEER, visit here.
To volunteer with Jesus is Lord, visit here.
