For many, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. Yet for families touched by the specter of serious illness, the happiness and festivity of the holiday season may be replaced by feelings of grief, uncertainty, and even despair. Locally, the goal of the Second Annual Hernando Pasco Hospice Crafty Christmas Campaign is to brighten the holidays of those who need them the most.
It is the mission of Hernando Pasco Hospice and HPH Hospice Women of Giving to make this coming holiday season a brighter one for all patients served by HPH, and for HPH staff and team members, with the help of beautiful, jubilant holiday cards custom-made for them. It is their goal, in fact, to create at least 1,000 cards for these deserving individuals based in Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties through the Crafty Christmas Campaign. And on Tuesday, Aug. 27, they will be asking the public for a few extra handsâand hearts.
“This is our second year for Crafty Christmas,” said Andrea Arflack, Director of Philanthropy Chapters Health Foundation In support of HPH Hospice. “It was created by one of our staff members in the spirit of giving. We made more than 1,000 cards last year for HPH patients and workers and plan to do the same thing this year.”
HPH Hospice and HPH HWOG celebrated Christmas in July by custom-creating beautiful Holiday Cards at initial cardmaking sessions on June 25, July 16 and July 20; greetings intended to bring hope and joy to recipients in the HPH service area.
“We started early in the year,” said Arflack, “to make sure that we have all of the cards ready before the holidays.”
Knowing that this upcoming holiday season may be the last for some HPH patients, it is the aim of HPH and its auxiliary groups to celebrate with them and show them that they care. Toward this end, they already have created more than 900 cards. But more help is needed. The public is invited to join the cardmaking team for their final creative session at Northcliffe Church Fellowship Hall, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, August 27th; bringing a few friends with them for a fun, creative session that also doubles as a philanthropic mission.
“This is a fun volunteer activity that makes a difference and it’s easy to do. You don’t need artistic skill, you just put the cards together,â said Arflack.
Supplies are provided for the cardmaking session, at which participants will decorate die-cut style cards with three-dimensional ornamental accents, conjuring festive images of Christmas trees, holly, snowpeople, ornaments, angels, Nativity scenes, snowflakes, and more.
“It’s all about choosing the design, pasting and folding paper,” said Arflack. “If you can do crafts, you can make these cards.”
Whether adorning their cards with die cuts, sparkles, marker or stamp accents, foil, string, stickers, ornaments, stars, etc., each card artist will have the opportunity to create a magical greeting for those whose holidays could use a little extra cheer.
“Our cardmaking sessions often draw as many as 30 people at one time,” said Arflack. “Many of our volunteers are people whose lives and families have been touched by hospice.”
Arflack promises a light atmosphere at the Aug. 27 cardmaking session. “We’ll play Christmas music and offer charcuterie boards with refreshments,” she said.
It’s all for a good cause too! “Our volunteers make amazing, beautiful cards,” said Arflack. “It’s all a part of our mission to serve the community.”
For more information on the final session of the Second Annual Hernando Pasco Hospice Crafty Christmas Campaign, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/942001527555176/942001534221842/?active_tab=about.
