December 30, 2024

Dear CRC,

December 7th marked our 42nd Holiday Baskets. Over 1000 individuals were provided with support for the holidays, served by over 300 volunteers. We asked clients afterwards what the Holiday Baskets experience meant to them, and these are two of the answers:

"It means we matter to this wonderful organization, the donors and volunteers. It makes our holiday so much better."

"Community, the feeling of not (being) alone...."

The Holidays can feel lonely and isolating for some people, but CRC volunteers, staff and donors all work together to ensure that there is one fewer person out there feeling alone. Our clients feel seen, and they are treated with dignity and with respect. It is in the clean and organized shelves of our Food Pantry, or the smile on a volunteer's face when they walk in our doors. It is the ease in which a domestic violence survivor can choose furniture for a new, safer home, or the holiday shopping they didn't think they would get this year.

So, THANK YOU for being a part of that community for others! And, to add a little levity to the work we do, I've included as many fun photos from this past month that I could. Enjoy!

Gratefully,



Sara Rosenbaum, CVA (and Buddy)

CRC Volunteer Manager

Community is Our First Name

CRC volunteers continue to astound me in the way you go beyond just "doing a job." From the friendships you form in your volunteer teams, to the way you celebrate the life of a long-time volunteer who has passed away, you understand the meaning of community. Thank you for representing CRC so well! And a HUGE shoutout to our Resale and FNC volunteers who have gone above and beyond this season - often short-staffed due to illnesses and vacations. You are incredible.

Congratulations to CRC's Volunteer of the Month, Parker Salter!

Parker is part of the TVIA SD5 organization (Teen Volunteers in Action) and first volunteered with CRC at the Jingle and Mingle 2023 event. He showed up in a bow tie, ready to take on the raffle volunteer job with gusto. His enthusiasm definitely sold tickets and made it fun for everyone! He went on to volunteer that year for Holiday Baskets and then did a repeat for 2024.

Once again, Parker showed up dressed to impress and with a fun, outgoing attitude that resulted in a record number of raffle tickets sold. CRC is fortunate to have many amazing youth volunteers and Parker represents the value that the younger generation provides to our mission. We hope to see him for years to come even beyond his TVIA years. Thank you!

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