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This time of year fills me with the Christmas spirit. I enjoy celebrating the holidays, seeing friends and family, and bundling up from the cold winter air. I especially love visiting the Fellowship Square properties where residents and staff have beautifully decorated the buildings with Christmas trees, holiday lights, and all kinds of seasonal decorations representing many cultures. On any given day, you can hear the jingle of holiday music or voices caroling.
I love learning about the holiday traditions and special memories residents have during this time of year. For me, growing up in West Virginia, my family always had ham at Christmas dinner and the kids got to open one gift on Christmas Eve!
While joy abounds for many this time of year, the holidays can also be a time of loneliness and instability. I’ve come to know many of our residents who have no family to share the joy of the season with or who dearly miss their family whether they are near or far but won’t be visiting with them this holiday season.
I can easily imagine how different the holidays would be for me if I struggled to make ends meet – having few dollars for groceries and not physically capable of doing the grocery shopping even if I did. And, besides the physical toll, older adults are at risk of S.A.D. – Season Affective Disorder – which are the “blues” of the season – feeling a bit depressed, uninterested and unengaged in the world around you.
At Fellowship Square, we strive to make meaningful connections with each person that lives in our buildings so no matter the time of year they know there is someone who cares about them. We acknowledge and appreciate them and the life they’ve led to bring them to our doorstep. We value them as a part of our vibrant community and encourage them to be a part of all we have to offer – this month and throughout the year.
Our work is only possible because of generous donors, volunteers, partners and supporters.
I encourage you to reaffirm your belief that older adults are valuable members of our community and make your most generous year-end contribution to Fellowship Square. Your donation puts a roof over their heads and provides critical programs and services that keep them healthy, active and engaged.
As I take time to enjoy this holiday season with my friends and loved ones, I hope I can also count on your continued support to Fellowship Square.
Please have yourself a “merry little Christmas” and enjoy all that the season brings. In whatever manner you celebrate, and in whatever traditions are most meaningful to you, I hope it comes with peace and happiness.
In gratitude,
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