For the last ten years, Selfhelp has organized a Kid's Holiday Party for the children of the families in our CHHA and Homemaking programs. This year Selfhelp decided to try a different approach that we hoped would delight the families and have an impact beyond the holiday season. Eleven of Selfhelp's neediest client families were chosen by staff to receive an "Extreme Holiday Makeover" that would, in addition to providing individual holiday gifts for each family member, include gifts of essential household items ranging from beds and dressers to kitchen tables and chairs, to towels and bed linens. The staff also identified an additional 40 needy families with children who were sent a "Bring the Holiday Home Kit" that consisted of a Selfhelp greeting card with an enclosed food store gift certificate to cover the expense of a holiday dinner and a gift certificate to Target to pay for family gifts.

Selfhelp donors raised over $20,000 and purchased individual gifts for the "Extreme Holiday Makeover" families. A dedicated group of Selfhelp staff volunteers joined the effort and worked hard to purchase the remaining items on the family gift list and wrap them.
The gifts were scheduled to be delivered by volunteer staff the week before Christmas - just when the transit strike occurred. The strike threatened to become the "Grinch that Stole Christmas", but despite the added travel pressures, several determined Selfhelp staff - Tonya Knight, Alan Martin, Roachan Ramlall, Ismael Minaya, Damar Sobryan, Yvonne Melendez, and Lareatha Cooper - managed to deliver the gifts to all the families in time for Christmas.

Parents and children alike were thrilled and delighted because they didn't know that they were going to receive gifts and did\n't expect all that they were given. When Roachan Ramlall delivered the gifts to one family, the children asked him if he was Santa Claus! Their mother kept saying "we must be important people" and was very touched when Roachan assured them they were. Another grateful client blessed our Selfhelp employees with a prayer before they left. All the staff who delivered presents commented on what a moving and emotional experience it was for them. A number of the client families that received our kit of gift certificates also called or wrote to thank Selfhelp, many of them stating that they wouldn't have had anything for the holiday otherwise.

Those who volunteered for this special holiday effort clearly made a difference in the lives of these families, and we thank them for making this holiday a happy and hopeful one for our clients.

Thank you to all staff who participated in this event. Your help clearly did not go unnoticed.

Return to Archives