On Sunday, Dec. 15, Simcha Gifts volunteers joined together to pack and prepare more than 1,000 packages for Hanukkah.
The packages included holiday and educational materials and, for all home recipients, a travel menorah and candles were included.
Volunteers delivered the packages throughout Greater Kansas City to nursing homes, retirement centers and individual homes, and packages were mailed to outlying communities for lone Jewish people and lone college students. Simcha Gifts’ “menorah to-go” kits were made available for free at The J through Jewish Experiences and were offered to staff and students at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA).
Simcha Gifts also sent Hanukkah gifts to 54 senior communities and facilities to better serve their Jewish residents. Each facility received a Hanukkah storybook and menorah game along with an electric menorah where requested.
Simcha Gifts offered to do a Hanukkah party for residents in senior communities. Ten parties were arranged throughout Greater Kansas City. Volunteers leading the parties included teenagers from KCTeens and HBHA; teen volunteers Ethan Hobbs, Sapir Hobbs, Elia Ellis and Teddy Zitron; Simcha Gift volunteers Rebecca Friedman and her children Shai, Lia and Ezra; Pam Reiz; Rabbi Avromi Lapine; and Rabbi Mendel Wenger, the new Chabad rabbi who serves the Jewish community in Olathe.
Simcha Gifts, which delivers gifts for Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover, is supported by community donations. The program is currently running a Charidy campaign to raise funds for the coming year. Donations can be made through January at charidy.com/simchagifts.
