Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) delivered a truckload of essential items and holiday gifts to residents in Birmingham area boarding homes on Friday, December 11, 2020.

Each December, RCB members volunteer to shop for residents of boarding homes in the Birmingham community. These boarding homes provide meals and a safe living environment for homeless individuals unable to live independently. The items are delivered to the boarding homes in time for the holidays. This year, RCB members provided essentials and presents to 99 residents in six local boarding homes.

“The Holiday Boarding Home Project is an annual tradition for the Rotary Club of Birmingham,” said RCB President Jon Blankenship. “This project perfectly embodies the guiding principle of Rotary membership, ‘Service above Self.’ Our members really step up to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our neighbors in need.”

For weeks leading up to the donation day, dozens of Rotarians collect new clothing, hygiene, food and gift items to fulfill the needs identified by the boarding house directors. Rotary staff and volunteers pack the items into boxes for each resident to make sure they receive items they need and want for the holidays.

“Rotary Club members look forward to shopping for the wishlist items of boarding home residents to help make each one’s holiday season a little brighter,” said project chair Jimmy Holloway. “Many members make it a family activity, bringing their children and grandchildren along to help select gifts. Seeing the reactions of the residents when we deliver their boxes is incredibly heartwarming.”

Rotary volunteers gathered at the RCB office in the Harbert Center at 6th St. N. on Friday morning, December 11, 2020, to load boxes donated by Armstrong Relocation onto a moving truck provided by DeKalb Office. Members and staff followed the truck and delivered items safely to the porches of six boarding homes, including New Hope in Eastlake, Sunnyside and Spencer in North Birmingham, Griggs and Holmes in Fairfield and Steps and Traditions in Ensley. RCB volunteers were met with waves and smiles from appreciative residents.

The Rotary Club of Birmingham, founded in 1913, is the largest in the world.  It has played a leading role in eliminating Polio worldwide, expanding access to Pre-K in Birmingham, and enhancing cancer treatment and prevention in Sri Lanka.  The Club’s centennial gift to Birmingham, the Rotary Trail, is a signature attraction downtown.

Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.  Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

Learn more about the Rotary Club of Birmingham by visiting birminghamrotary.com or on social media: Facebook @rotaryclubbirmingham.

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