The Rotary Club of Birmingham Delivers Gifts and Essential Items to Area Boarding HOmes
On Friday, December 10, 2021, the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) delivered a truckload of essential items and holiday gifts to residents in Birmingham area boarding homes.
Each December, RCB members volunteer to shop for residents of boarding homes in the Birmingham community. These boarding homes provide meals and a safe living environment for homeless individuals unable to live independently. The items are delivered to the boarding homes in time for the holidays and are often the only gifts the residents receive all year. This year, RCB members provided essentials and presents to over 100 residents of seven local boarding homes.
“The Holiday Boarding Home Project is a wonderful opportunity for members of the Rotary Club of Birmingham to give back each year,” said RCB President Brenda Hackney. “The project exemplifies the guiding philosophy of Rotary membership: ‘Service above Self.’ I am always amazed to see how many members eagerly volunteer to help.”
For several weeks leading up to the donation day, dozens of Rotarians collected new clothing, hygiene, food and gift items to fulfill the needs identified by the boarding house directors. Rotary staff and volunteers packed the items into boxes for each resident to make sure they received items they needed and wanted for the holidays. Member contributions allowed RCB to provide bottled water, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cleaning supplies, paper products, hams and turkeys to each boarding home.
“Rotary Club members look forward to receiving the lists and shopping for the items requested by each resident to help make their holiday season a little brighter,” said project co-chair Libba Vaughan. “Many get the whole family involved, inviting their children and grandchildren to help select gifts.”
“Seeing the reactions of the boarding home residents and directors when they receive the items is incredibly heartwarming,” said project co-chair Alison Grizzle. “The individuals living in boarding homes often feel forgotten and this project reminds them that they are seen.”