As the leaves begin to turn and a chill fills the air, the CARITAS community is already preparing for one of the most meaningful times of the year – the holiday season. It’s a time filled with light, generosity, and gratitude, but can also be a challenging period for those away from loved ones or rebuilding their lives in recovery.
We know the holidays can look different for everyone who calls our programs home. For many, it’s a season of new beginnings – a first holiday abstinent from substances, a first time in stable housing, or a first opportunity to share a warm meal surrounded by encouragement and understanding. That’s why this October, we begin preparing early to make sure the season ahead is filled with warmth, dignity, and connection for everyone under our roof.
Finding Warmth in Community
This time of year invites us all to reflect on what it means to give. While gifts and meals help to make the season bright, the true spirit of the holidays comes from community – neighbors coming together to offer what they can, when they can, with love and compassion.
At CARITAS, giving takes many forms. It may be a volunteer sorting furniture in our Furniture Bank, a donor dropping off new socks and pajamas, a family donating a meal, or a group planning a holiday activity for program participants. Each act adds up to something extraordinary – a community built on care.
That sense of care is at the heart of everything we do, especially as we prepare for the holidays. Through your generosity, we’re able to offer comfort and hope to our participants as they work every day to rebuild their lives and pursue healing.
Fall Into Giving: How You Can Help
This October, we’re inviting you to fall into giving by joining us in several special efforts designed to make the winter season a little brighter for those we serve.
The Spirit of Hope This Season
When you contribute to the CARITAS mission, you’re helping us create a season filled with compassion, connection, and hope. Every donation – big or small – helps remind our participants that they are loved and that the Richmond community stands beside them in their journey towards healing and independence.
The holidays are quickly approaching, and with your help, we can make them a time of joy and renewal for everyone we serve. Whether you donate to one of our drives, volunteer your time, or plan a holiday activity, your support ensures that no one faces this season alone.
As we move into the final months of 2025, let’s carry forward the spirit of hope, rooted in kindness and connection. Because when we come together as a community, every act of generosity has the power to warm hearts, open doors, and spread light into the darkness.