For over 50 years, Aspire of WNY and Jamestown Elks Lodge #263 have teamed up to provide holiday dinners to local families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This year was no exception—155 hot turkey dinners and 86 Walmart gift cards were delivered to families in the Jamestown community!
For families of individuals with IDD, the holiday season can bring as much financial strain as it does joy. Balancing the financial expectations of the holidays with the high costs of care can make this time of year especially stressful. Aspire of WNY and the Jamestown Elks aim to help ease that burden with their annual holiday drive.
Since the pandemic, the event has shifted from an in-person celebration to a delivery-based model, allowing meals and gift cards to be brought directly to families’ doorsteps. This new approach has proven more practical and inclusive, helping reach families who may not have been able to attend in person.
Volunteers from the Jamestown Elks are each assigned a delivery route, where they drive from house to house, dropping off meals and gift cards. The excitement on families’ faces when an Elk comes knocking is what makes this event truly special. The Elks also donated $1,300 to purchase Walmart gift cards for individuals with IDD, while the holiday meals were provided for the entire household.
“The holidays are such an expensive time for us, so getting warm meals and a Walmart gift card for my child to pick out a gift makes such a difference,” said one recipient. “My son is so excited to pick out a gift! It’s truly the kindness of others that makes the holiday season so special.”
“I’m continually amazed by the unwavering support of the Jamestown Elks Lodge for this event each year. Their generosity in helping those in need within our community is truly inspiring, so much so that I’ve recently joined the Elks myself. This event is my absolute favorite of the year, and it’s made even better by being surrounded by such a great group of people,” says Tracy Flagella, Intake and Outreach Coordinator at Aspire of WNY.
In addition to the annual Holiday Celebration, Aspire of WNY collaborates year-round with the New York State Elks Association through its Home Services Program. The program’s Home Services Directors provide vital outreach to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, connecting them with community resources, advocating on their behalf, and facilitating access to needed services. Through public education and advocacy, the Home Services Program helps families gain the tools and support they need to thrive.
Aspire of WNY is deeply grateful for its partnership with the Jamestown Elks Lodge and the New York State Elks Association. The holiday season truly is “the most wonderful time of the year” because of their ongoing support and community spirit. Here’s to many more years of spreading holiday cheer together!