Heart2Heart volunteers were busy the week before Christmas, putting in some long hours to reach 661 seniors with deliveries, Christmas gift baskets, letters and special events.

In total, volunteers logged more than 400 hours in the month of December – smashing Heart2Heart’s previous monthly record for hours logged. Most of the seniors who were reached live in 31 different care centers across Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. However, volunteers also connected with seniors living in 28 different private homes throughout South Florida.

Heart2Heart’s main office in Fort Lauderdale overflowed with packages and gifts that volunteers picked up the week before Christmas to deliver. Throughout December, volunteers – including those from Westminster Academy and Calvary Chapel Parkland – collected more than 550 cozy socks, candy canes, and cards.

Among the deliveries were special packets of Christmas cheer prepared by Community Christian Church volunteers during a serve event earlier in the month. Dozens of church goers created handmade Christmas ornaments. They also packaged hot chocolate in with marshmallows, red candies and pipe cleaners to look like festive reindeers. The ornaments and hot chocolate packets were delivered to seniors in care centers.

Holy City Church also participated in the Christmas blessings, creating 21 care packages of cards, hygiene kids, blankets and candies which were delivered to Lenox on the Lake in Lauderhill.

Volunteers also helped at several special events during the Christmas week. They gave manicures during a spa day at Sonata Coconut Creek, helped memory care residents paint masterpieces on canvas and assisted Pacifica Sunrise residents decorate Christmas trees made of magazines.

“We are so thankful to the volunteers who brought Christmas cheer to so many seniors,” said Volunteer Coordinator Raquel Zingale. “We were filled with joy as they picked up the packages, so we know that joy filled the hearts of our seniors.”

Become a Heart2Heart volunteer in the new year! To apply and begin the online training, click here.

Top: Volunteer Coordinator Raquel Zingale, left, helps Heart2Heart volunteer Miguelaille Pierre pick up packages for delivery during the week of Christmas.

Below right: Heart2Heart volunteer Juan Ramos picks up packages of hot cocoa to deliver to a care center.

Below left: A Community Christian Church volunteer makes an ornament that was delivered to a senior at a care center this Christmas.