The Alexandria Adult Day Services Center hosted a beautiful Holiday program in December as a culmination to a wonderfully successful week long toy and food drive. Holiday entertainment was complete with music, dancing, cultural celebrations and song. The mistress of ceremony, Vice Mayor Del Pepper kept the audience focused in anticipation with her wonderful enthusiasm and humor. The program featured performers such as the Doves of Faith, a spiritual dance group, the Alexandria City Choir, a saxophone solo by Briana Butler, a Kwanzaa presentation by City employee Larry Brown and a Hanukkah presentation by City employee Janet Barnett. There was even a surprise visit from Old St. Nicholas himself and his able assistant. Some in attendance thought they looked very much like Ron Clark and Ron Lyons from the Office on Aging and Adult Services, but this may have been a coincidence.
The Senior Centers and Adult Day Centers were out in full force with approximately 200 people turning out to support other residents in the community who needed a little help during the holiday season. The week long food and toy drive was sponsored by the City of Alexandria's Department of Human Services, Office of Aging & Adult Services, the Successful Aging Advisory Committee and the Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Activities. Their efforts were successful in collecting over 200 toys for children in the Alexandria Domestic Violence Program and over 350 non-perishable food items for A.L.I.V.E. (Alexandrians Involved Ecumenically), which provides food and other services for Alexandria residents who are in need of assistance.
City residents, employees and area businesses were very happy to assist in spreading a little holiday cheer. Some of the donations were made by the American Association for Liver Diseases, Harmony Information Systems, CTAM, Locator Services, ARHA, the Plaza Condominium and the Annie B. Rose House. Many city employees made individual donations in helping to make this event a huge success.
For more information on the Adult Day Services Program, which provides a secure and therapeutic day program for at risk senior citizens, please call 703-838-4224.