The Holiday Project – Colorado

By Marilyn Halpern, Holiday Project Team Leader in South Denver ~

The scene is familiar every year. In a matter of moments, from the first chorus of “Jingle Bells,” we watch in awe as older folks transform from nearly unresponsive to attentive.  The power of music invigorates people to become animated: toes tapping, lips moving, eyes alert. Miraculously, they have become “awakened” by familiar Christmas Carols.  

The Holiday Project, a non-profit organization managed by volunteers nationwide, creates these amazing opportunities.  The primary goal is to visit people in hospitals, nursing care homes, and detention centers during the Christmas and Chanukah season.  In the Denver Metro area, visits generally occur on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

Founded in 1972 by Werner Erhard and a group of friends in San Francisco, the Holiday Project began with a simple goal – add joy to people’s lives during the holiday season.  The Project has touched a million people over the past 47 years. The Holiday Project officially came to Colorado in 1980. Our programs use the healing power of music and our presence to improve the quality of life for those sometimes forgotten and often lonely. 

This season, we will again be visiting 13 facilities in the Denver Metro Area. These visits will bring hope and joy to over 1,000 people.  All visit sites still need volunteers. This family-friendly, volunteer event requires only an hour of time to make a world of difference. Become part of the magic, for information about a facility visit site convenient to you, contact Max Acosta: 303-333-3747 or holidayprojectCO@outlook.com.