Gratitude and the Gift of Community
February 19, 2026
Full Life Care kicked off a special start to its holiday giving season, commemorating its 30th Annual Thanksgiving Delivery event on Thanksgiving day. Full Life’s Beacon Hill headquarters transformed into a sea of yellow as over 50 volunteers filed through, packaging brightly colored tote bags to deliver to homes of over 80 clients in the ElderFriends and Care Teams programs.
The cheerful sight was complemented by lighthearted laughter as volunteers received their own surprises: lapel pins serving as small tokens of appreciation for bighearted dedication. Half of those present were returning volunteers, inspired to make this service event part of their own holiday tradition. The day marked milestones for 14 volunteers celebrating over 5 years of service, including 4 volunteers who have returned to participate for over 15 years.
Many volunteers share the experience, bringing partners, family, and friends to accompany them. Some participate to honor a family member. All volunteer to fulfill a passion for giving back to their community. “People can feel alone,” one volunteer explained. “I wanted to be a part of helping people feel connected.”
Full Life’s two volunteer-based programs involved in this holiday delivery highlight our goals to relieve isolation and loneliness among older adults and to provide respite for caregivers. ElderFriends relieves isolation and loneliness among at-risk older adults who lack adequate social support. Care Teams relieves stress and burnout experienced by unpaid family caregivers of seniors and veterans. These programs’ core services of regular monthly volunteer visits are enhanced by special occasions like Thanksgiving Day deliveries.
Aside from dropping off a delivery, Thanksgiving volunteers offer friendly phone calls and in-person conversations to participants. The impact is profound, as evidenced by participant comments:
“The dinner was terrific! Tasted like my childhood memories of the holiday.”
“The flowers are such a lovely, touching gesture, it nearly brought tears to my eyes”
“That you took the time to think of those who live alone, may not be able to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner (or afford one), reminds us we are not really alone.”
“Thank you for the joyful Thanksgiving meal! Smiles to you all. Love from the bottom of my heart.”
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers, donors, and supporters who make this possible:
- Holiday Meals prepared by Operation Sack Lunch
- Turkey Craft by Bertschi School 1st graders
- Roses given by Ballard Blossom
- Harvest treat bags provided by The Swartz Family, and assembled by the Woodinville High School Robotics team, Velocity Raptors
- Juice provided by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Lambda Alpha Zeta Chapter
- Greeting Cards created by The Archonette Club and creative volunteers from across the country
Learn more about ElderFriends, Care Teams, and volunteering at https://fulllifecare.org/ways-to-give/volunteer.