Local organization works to collect 40,000 holiday cards for nursing home residents

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Project Holiday Cheer started as a way to combat loneliness during the COVID pandemic. The initiative is to collect 40,000 holiday cards for those in long-term care facilities.

This project was started by VOYCE, a St. Louis nonprofit that advocates for older adults living in nursing homes.

“Loneliness really is an epidemic in nursing homes and not everyone has families who visit, not everyone has friends who are still around,” said Melody Fox, development coordinator at VOYCE. “So we want to make sure that we make everyone feel ed and loved during the holiday season especially because it can be a lonely time really for everyone, but especially for those living in nursing homes.”

There are many ways to get involved and help VOYCE reach its goal. For Chiquita Smith, volunteer and owner of Truly Treasured Home care, she hosted a holiday card party.

“You have really good people that care about seniors and we often come together to try to do good,” she said.

Smith said for these residents, getting a card on Christmas reminds them that they are loved.

“It’s gonna give them hope. That is what Christmas is all about, bringing someone joy, bringing someone hope to know that there is someone out there that cares. It’s going to mean everything to them,” she said.

Fox said as of Nov. 22, they had 10,000 cards. She said anyone can help them reach their goal.

“You can either hand make cards or you can just purchase cards and sign them. We have lots of people doing super fun things like throwing cards parties. We have a cards and cocoa night that someone is doing. Some people are bringing them to family gatherings and just having people sign a few cards. So it is a super easy way to get involved,” said Fox.

Fox said VOYCE would like to have all cards by Dec. 13 so they can get them to the nursing homes around the area in time. She said once you are finished with your cards, they have a number of drop-off locations. You can find that information and much more on its website.

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