As 2014 winds down, we reflect on all the comfort and joy our residents and staff provided to their neighbors and themselves. From a terrific holiday party, to gifts of woolen warmth, to baskets full of seasonal goodies, the spirit of giving was very much in evidence.
Right before Christmas, Horizon House residents threw a big party for staff and their families, complete with homemade cookies, caroling, Santa, and highly appreciated bonus checks, courtesy of the residents’ Employee Recognition Fund. This generous gift means so much to all of us on staff.
Earlier in the holiday season, many of our residents and staff, donned their working clothes to create some much needed comfort and joy for our neighbors. Headed up by resident Brent Brentnall, our Horizon House group put together all the fixin’s for 50 Thanksgiving dinner baskets and delivered them to the neediest families at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School—where 94% of the students qualify for federal food assistance and 10% are homeless.
Yet another group of residents and staff—the Simons Lunch Bunch—served the 70 residents of Simons House (part of Plymouth Housing Group’s affordable housing for the formerly homeless) a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner and donated a collection of useful items such as phones, clocks, cookware, toasters, and bedding.
Throughout the past year, 38 sewing and knitting volunteers created 500 items—hats, gloves, mittens, pajamas, and quilts—which were distributed during the holidays. As the photo at the top shows, the recipients at Mary’s Place looked and felt pretty fabulous in their new gear.
Thank you for a great year and happy 2015!