JANUARY 2018:  2017 Holiday Season A Success 
Although turnout was down somewhat in the National Capital Region as compared to previous years, the 2017 holiday season was a success, with close to 500 volunteers visiting with nearly  five thousand patients at facilities throughout the DC metro area. A special thank you goes to the following individuals and organizations for making this year’s Holiday Project a success: Scott Rasco and Cub Scout Troop 1144, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority -- Howard University Chapter, Black Students Union – George Washington University, Howard University Medical Students, DC Sweats, Chords of Glory, Tim Howard and JK Moving Services, Margaret Clark, and the Howard County Muslim Council.

Valentine’s Visit Scheduled for February 11
SWEAT DC and THE HOLIDAY PROJECT will visit with the residents of STODDARD BAPTIST HOME in Washington, DC, on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, from 2:00 -4:00 p.m. to wish them a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.  FEEL FREE TO JOIN US!!!

OCTOBER 2017: RECORD NUMBER OF VISITS

The Holiday Project of the National Capital Area held a record number of visits over the Spring and Summer months, including visits for Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day at Bridgepoint Hospital on Capitol Hill. Take Me Out to the Ballgame was the theme of this year’s Father’s Day Visit, which was highlighted by a generous donation of sports memorabilia compliments of the Baltimore Orioles. A big Holiday Project thank you to the Orioles and their front office team for putting smiles on the faces of these lucky residents.

Additional visits were held in Fredericksburg and Leesburg. Thank you to all of the Team Leaders and visitors who made these visits a success.

LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL

We are excited to announce our participation in Volunteerfest, a weekend volunteer festival sponsored by Volunteer Fairfax. The event focuses on encouraging participation in volunteer activities. In conjunction with this event, we will be hosting two training sessions for potential Visit Team Leaders. Participants will learn the steps to leading a visit and creating a craft activity. Following the orientation, participants will go on a visit.

This is a great opportunity to gain first hand experience and see what it takes to lead a visit. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 28, and join us at Chesterbrook Residences, 2030 Westmorland in Falls Church. In addition, a second session will be held on November 11, from 10:00am–12:00pm at Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center. Read more at www.volunteerfairfax.org

Other fall visits already on the calendar include a Thanksgiving Visit in Fairfax County as well as our traditional visit in Arlington.

CHRISTMAS & CHANUKAH

It’s never too early to start thinking about the season. Already, the following groups have contacted us regarding visits: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Howard University, the Black Students Union at GW University, and the Coalition of 100 Black Women. If you are involved in an organization and would like to participate in this year’s visits, now is the time to reach out and put your organization on our visit list.

If you are a Visit Team Leader, please note that we asking you to submit visit information by Halloween. E-mail visit information to holidayprojectdc@hotmail.com

CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE HOLDAY PROJECT FINANCIALLY

‘Tis the season for giving. As you consider your year end financial contributions, please consider making a donation to The Holiday Project. Just ten dollars buys a dozen of the holiday gifts we distribute. We are a small local charity, totally dependent upon people like you for our support. 

NOVEMBER 2017: HOLIDAY PROJECT DC RECOGNIZED BY TRAVELOCITY AS A FACTOR IN NAMING DC ONE OF 25 MOST GIVING CITIES IN THE US

The Holiday Project's Washington DC chapter has been cited as a factor in recognizing DC as one of the 25 most giving cities in the US by online travel guide Travelosity. The article reads as follows:

Our tax dollars and national budget may work to fund the government programs in our nation’s capital, but those who live inside the Beltway year-round put their money, time, and energy toward all sorts of charitable causes. With a 5K to End HIV, the Capital Area Food Bank, a DC chapter for The Holiday Project, and the various programs offered through SOME—like their Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger and annual dinner gala and silent auction—Washingtonians represent themselves very well in terms of volunteerism. Cast your ballot by supporting any of these impressive charitable causes the next time you are in our nation’s capital.

Thank yoy Travelosity for helping us spread the word regarding our worthwhile cause.

OCTOBER 2017: JOSHUA STEVENSON WINS BESSIE BISHOP MEMORIAL AWARD

This year's recipient of the Bessie Bishop Memorial Award is one of the youngest and most dedicated Visit Team Leaders in our area. Joshua Stevenson, of Leesburg, will receive this award, annually given to Team Leaders whose dedication in organizing visits goes above and beyond the line of duty. Joshua demonstrated an exemplary commitment to The Holiday Project by leading many visits in the Leesburg area on holidays throughout the year and by assisting in publicizing his visits to the local media. Josh, we salute you as the latest recipient of this award, named after a former patient with whom many of us used to visit!