Jewish Family Services provides the wrapping paper. The community delivers the love

Jewish Family Services and a group of community volunteers are working together to make sure Hanukkah is a bright holiday for everyone this year. The organization has led a holiday gift drive and wrapping party for years.

This December, about 350 people are on their list. Most are part of their KesherKC program, which provides access to the JFS food pantry, as well as a social worker, housing support and other aid.

“A lot of older adults may be using the pantry, our care management or Help at Home programs. Our Russian speakers are a large population that we serve during Hanukkah,” said Taly Friedman, development director at JFS.

Clients fill out a wish list to let people know what Hanukkah gifts they would like. Many people ask for blankets, winter coats or even blenders, and families with kids might ask for toys as well.

“A lot of our clients ask for gift cards so they can shop for what they need. That kind of gives people the dignity to be able to choose,” Friedman said. “We had someone last year who requested white melamine dishes. It was something that was really special to her. She was blown away when I delivered them that someone would get something so specific that she asked for.”

JFS keeps clients’ identities confidential, facilitating deliveries or pick-ups of the donated items.

Both individuals and local businesses participate in adopting families and providing the gifts.

“We have a really good response. People sign up to adopt pretty quickly,” Friedman said.

Sometimes they have a little trouble accommodating bigger requests, like a new bike, but they can often match someone with other resources that might be able to get them a used bike. JFS asks donors to plan to spend $50 per person.

If you’re not in a position to donate gifts, JFS can still use your help. After the gift drive every year, they have their annual Hanukkah wrapping party. It’s a community-wide event, open to everyone, but you must pre-register at jfskc.org/jfs-hanukkah-project to participate.

Volunteers gather at the Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St. in Overland Park, to wrap every donated present so that they look festive for the recipients. This year’s event is at 1 p.m. Dec. 11. JFS provides the wrapping paper, the ribbons and the celebratory atmosphere.

Everyone can take part, from small children to older adults. Kids who can’t manage present wrapping can make cards or decorate wrapped packages with stickers. The party usually draws 50 to 75 volunteers.

”It’s just fun energy. It’s a fun time for everybody to come and do a mitzvah and have a little party and celebrate Hanukkah together and be able to brighten the holiday for others,” Friedman said.

Because of the pandemic, JFS hasn’t been able to hold the party since 2019.

For Prairie Village resident Beth Sherry, the party is a multi-generational family tradition. She’s been going with her kids and their grandparents intermittently over the past 10 years.

“Even from the time the kids were little, there was something they could do to help. They may not be able to wrap a package, but they can help with the ribbon and decorating,” Sherry said.

The time commitment is minimal, making it easy for busy families to join in and help. Sherry appreciated that even younger kids could volunteer, as many organizations have minimum age requirements for volunteers.

Leawood resident Stephanie Kavanaugh has been participating with her family for years.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for trying to help people who aren’t as fortunate as my family,” she said. “If I even think for a minute about other kids not having anything for the holidays. It nearly brings me to tears.”

She has done both parts of the event: present-buying and the wrapping party.

“It’s so much fun to see families together, doing good and enjoying themselves and benefiting the community. There’s lots of enthusiasm and high spirits,” she said. “It’s fun to watch little ones decorating. It’s fun to be creative and try to creatively wrap gifts that are different sizes and shapes.”