By Kimberly Woods • Senior Holiday Project chair
The holiday season is almost here and it’s time for the Jacksonville Bar Association to start preparations for its annual Holiday Project.
Each year, the JBA partners with Aging True and Meals on Wheels to spread some holiday cheer to senior citizens in Duval County.
To kick things off, Aging True sends out wish lists to people participating in the Meals on Wheels program. The wish list provides the seniors with ideas for gifts they would like to receive during the holiday season, such as robes, slippers, food items and small household appliances.
Once the senior completes and returns the wish list to Aging True, the Holiday Project Committee goes to work pairing the wish list with a sponsor.
Sponsors have two delivery options, personal delivery or delivery by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Many sponsors choose to personally deliver their gifts and spend time with their seniors. Sometimes the seniors share stories about the changing times, their family and loved ones or even just casual chitchat.
Each year, we receive photographs of happy seniors and happy sponsors enjoying their time together. Many share photographs and stories about the time they spend with their seniors. The photos are what this project is all about — spreading joy and happiness to those in our community.
What we want to share with the community is how fulfilling this project is for those who participate. While the mission of the JBA Holiday Project is to bless others, as is often the case, those who participate are the ones who feel truly blessed.
“I have so many great memories from delivering over the years!” said longtime committee member Cyndy Trimmer.
“My current favorite is one woman who could not believe we were actually attorneys and was positively overjoyed to learn there were so many ‘lady lawyers’ in the profession. Visiting with these folks really puts so many things in perspective. It’s one of my favorite things the JBA does each year,” Trimmer said.
Last year’s project was able to provide gifts to more than 250 people. We hope to provide gifts to even more seniors this year.
The Holiday Project Committee will meet at noon Nov. 15 at the JBA’s new offices in the lobby at Wells Fargo Center.
New committee members are welcome. If you would like to get involved, participate or sponsor a senior, contact Kimberly Woods at [email protected].
Kimberly Woods is an associate attorney with Boyd & Jenerette PA focusing on insurance defense and civil litigation.