For many of us, the holiday season is a time when it is better to give than to receive. In the spirit of giving, Philadelphia Health Corps chose the 20th Annual Rubye’s Kids Holiday Party as their December group service project.
Posted on: December 23, 2013Philadelphia
For many of us, the holiday season is a time when it is better to give than to receive. Unfortunately, for some families in Philadelphia, giving presents to their children is not possible – it is just not within their household budget. Seeing this need, Rubye Caesar teamed up with Roz and Don Weiss in 1994 to throw a holiday party for 75 children from Rubye’s North Philadelphia neighborhood. The children received a hot meal, gifts, and lots of love and attention from the volunteers. Rubye Caesar passed unexpectedly in 1995, but the Weiss’ have carried on the party in her memory; and today, the Rubye’s Kids Holiday Party hosts 500 underprivileged children from 12 elementary schools and 4 shelters in Philadelphia.
In the spirit of giving, Philadelphia Health Corps chose the 20th Annual Rubye’s Kids Holiday Party as their December group service project. Our members met bright and early at Girard College to put the finishing touches on decorations and setup the many, many activities the children would see while waiting for their turn in Toyland and their visit with Santa. Volunteers at the event staffed fun activities like face-painting and temporary tattoos; and gave out much needed school supplies, hats and gloves. The bravest of the volunteers took on the important role of chaperoning a group of 5 children throughout the day. Chaperones were tasked with making sure each child got to visit the 15 activity stations and if possible, squeeze in a dance with Spiderman, Spongebob, and the Phillie Phanatic.
At the end of the day, our members were exhausted by the organized chaos required to host 500 children, but filled with a sense of joy. The ability to give a hot meal, presents, and a day of fun to children who otherwise would have gone without is one that many of us will never forget. The Rubye’s Kids Holiday Party is traditionally held the second Saturday of December. To find out more about the Rubye’s Kids organization, visit www.rubyeskids.org.
