A mom and her children wearing festive outfits and masks deliver food to residents

Holiday Helpers

Thanks to you, thousands of people with low incomes had a home this holiday season. The families, veterans, seniors, and people with special needs that call Mercy Housing home, also had meaningful supportive resources to help them get through this difficult time. Thank you for helping to ensure that residents had a COVID-safe holiday season filled with activities for kids, crafts, food, and celebration.

With COVID restrictions, the normal holiday festivities had to be re-imagined, and residents and staff collaborated to make it happen. Many residents don’t have extra money for gifts or special meals, and some don’t have support systems in their life beyond the place they call home, Mercy Housing. It was critical for us to do everything we could to bring holiday cheer into their lives.

Your donated food, gifts, and decorations gave residents a reason to smile, laugh, and have hope this past December.

A resident models the new coat she picked out during a coat drive in Colorado; Staff delivered gifts and gift cards from generous donors to senior residents in Illinois.
Staff and their families donned festive wear to deliver holiday meals-in-a-box in Tennessee (above); A resident models the new coat she picked out during a coat drive in Colorado; Staff delivered gifts and gift cards from generous donors to senior residents in Illinois.

In lieu of their usual holiday gatherings, Driftwood Estates, enjoyed two holiday events from the safety of their homes. Families made holiday cards for their neighbor, a nursing home across the street. They also created beautiful gingerbread houses. As a thank you, residents received waffle makers complete with waffle mix and syrup. Resident parents said their kids loved the holiday excitement. It offered them an opportunity to enjoy time together, while creating joy and happiness for others in their community.

Driftwood Estates’ holiday season wasn’t a one-off for Mercy Housing. Holiday decorating, cooking, and so much more took place across the country at our communities. All your generosity during a time of historic misfortune has been heart-warming for residents. You contributed so much and are making a very real impact on communities. The toys, food, and goodies that residents received brought more than holiday cheer this holiday season, it created hope.