As the holiday season approached, my heart was set on continuing two cherished service projects from last year: a Mother’s Shower for teenage mothers at LifeHaven and a Christmas Party for the seniors at Roseville Senior House, located right behind Namaste Brows and Boutique. This year, with the encouragement of my trusted friend and cheerleader Kathy Ramundt of Do Good Roseville, I also added a Thanksgiving Meal to our efforts. Together, we set out to make this season meaningful for those in need.
Thanksgiving brought an extra layer of gratitude as we served 27 family members. This service project was possible by Thrivent service grant and generous contributions from my friends Sarah Ingram and Kathy Ramundt, Knowing these families had food for the holiday filled my heart with joy.
The Mother’s Shower on November 18th was a resounding success. It was heartwarming to celebrate and uplift young mothers at LifeHaven, providing them with essentials, warn dinner, spending time with them and just spreading love. My friends Erin, Megan and Stephanie joined me to spend time with the teenaged mothers and their babies. The very next day, my focus shifted to preparing for the Seniors Christmas Party, a project close to my heart.
This year, my goal was to make the Seniors Christmas Party even more special by fulfilling each senior’s Christmas wish and serving a warm, hearty dinner. The planning began with a meeting with the building manager of Roseville Senior House, who agreed to spread the word and collect wish lists. Within two days, over 30 seniors had signed up, and by December 15th, that number grew to 79 attendees.
The magic of this project lies in the people who came together to make it happen. From the Roseville Police Department donating Bombas socks, gloves, and hats, the Stillwater Elks Lodge giving us check, Lions Club contributing gift cards, my girlfriends from Bible study at North Heights Christian Academy, so many kind customers from Namaste Brows and Boutique, literally the outpouring of generosity was overwhelming. My family also joined in, helping assemble nearly 80 gift bags that filled our home with the spirit of giving.
On December 18th, the community room at Roseville Senior House was alive with laughter, joy, and the sound of Christmas carols performed by the Emmaus Lutheran Church choir. Santa and Mrs. Claus, courtesy of the Lions Club, brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
Ed Johnson, a senior resident and self-proclaimed “master elf,” decorated the building with lights and festive décor, while Kevin Dawes, another resident, helped with setup and spreading the word. The dinner was a collaborative effort, with volunteers bringing dishes to share. By the end of the evening, there was hardly any food left—testament to the warmth and camaraderie of the gathering.
Many seniors requested basic items like socks, food, and gift cards, reminding me of the hidden struggles that exist even in our own communities. These moments deepened my commitment to serve with intention and minimize waste. During the event, I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. “I know you’re all going to want to go back to your rooms and write me thank-you notes after this, but please don’t,” I joked. “All I want is for you to show kindness to one extra person in this building.”
For me, this work is about more than just a holiday party—it’s about building a community of love, support, and connection. Through regular visits, conversations, and activities, we’re creating a space where everyone feels seen and valued.
As we look ahead, I invite anyone inspired by this story to join us in making a difference. Whether it’s volunteering at Roseville Senior House, sharing talents like music or art, or simply being present, there are countless ways to get involved.
This holiday season, let us remember the power of community and the joy of giving. My wish and prayer is for every person to experience love, respect, and a sense of belonging. Together, we can make our neighborhoods stronger and our hearts fuller.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and big thank you for being part of this journey to spread kindness and joy.
Stay Blessed and thankful,
Jeena Gurung Vomhof
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