OJO volunteers deliver holiday wishes

Volunteers from Our Jewish Orlando (OJO) served Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 to women and children at the Coalition for the Homeless Women's Residential and Counseling Center in Orlando.

In all, 18 OJO volunteers pitched in to make the holiday memorable for residents of the center, which accommodates more than 50 women and 40 children.

Our Jewish Orlando, a program for young adults by the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, paid for the event with money raised as part of a "100 Wishes" mitzvah campaign.

After dinner, volunteer Caryn Goldstein led an activity where children made "Wishing Star" ornaments. Goldstein's National Art Honor Society students at Mount Dora High School prepared the 40 craft kits, and Goldstein donated all of the supplies to make the ornaments.

"This is a great opportunity for the students to help the community and bring a smile to many faces on Christmas Day," Goldstein said.

OJO volunteers made "goodie bags" for the children, each containing a festive holiday cookie, a reindeer candy cane and a chocolate bear. The women at the center received cards expressing good wishes for the new year. Attached to each card was a bracelet with a small star charm. 

Jennifer Cohen, JFGO's director of Outreach and Engagement, called the event "incredibly meaningful for both the residents and the volunteers." Cohen thanked the donors who made the day possible. "The outpouring of goodwill from our Jewish community, as always, was inspiring," she said.