“Don’t let your inability to do everything undermine your determination to do something…”
Corey Booker
“It is a privilege to be alive in this time when we can choose to take part in the self-healing of our world.”
Joanna Rogers
Tradition with Community of Hope
We thank all of our generous donors for keeping the holiday tradition alive and helping us expand and change with the times. Because of you, this Holiday Season we can support homeless individuals in three Community of Hope shelters, give a hand to immigrants and refugees through Lutheran Social Services, and help families getting resettled due to domestic violence.
Purpose of Event
The purpose of this holiday project is to nurture the spirit of goodness that lives in all people, bridge our connection to each other, and strengthen our common humanity. In years past, we took homeless children to visit residents in a nursing home. As they caroled in the hallways, the children handed out cards to staff and residents. Families from Community of Hope, an organization which provides transitional housing for homeless families, participated fully, and gave of themselves. After caroling, the families were taken in a large, rented bus to a private home where awaiting them was a delicious lunch. After games, sharing, and a story every child and parent left with a bag full of useful, educational, and fun gifts. This tradition endured for over three decades.
Due to the Covid pandemic and changes in the partner organizations involved, we have amended the tradition. We will continue to refine and restructure the holiday tradition. For 2023, our primary focus is 54 Adult Men and Women who are part of Community of Hope’s Bridge Program. This program takes adults off the street, gets them into temporary shelter, and helps them obtain permanent housing. We are making individual gift bags for the adults living in two separate CoH shelters. Another focus for us in 2023 is giving Gift Cards and presents to previously homeless families, to immigrants and refugees, and to others in difficult circumstances. We are continuing to provide gifts to a few families living at the Triumph Family Shelter in Southeast. All we give comes from Global Harmony Through Personal Excellence’s caring donors. Our donors are keeping alive the holiday tradition of giving a hand to others in need in our community. THANK YOU!
Get Involved
We are working diligently to gather plenty of new twin sized blankets, full-sized toiletries, disposable razors, body lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, individual packets of instant coffee and hot chocolate, activity books, Little Debbie prepackaged snacks, and other items for 54 homeless adults.
We are gathering Visa and Target Gift Cards for families coming out of domestic violence situations, for immigrants, and for refugees setting up new lives. Please deliver or mail your items to
3925 Livingston Street NW
Washington, DC 20015-2921
Mark to the attention of Dodie Brady. Call me if you want to know what we most need at the moment.
Gift Card Suggestions
Gift Cards: We prefer Visa or Target cards ranging from $25 up to $100. Gift Cards allow the moms and older children to buy the items they need in the style and color they want. We are generous with gift cards, and the gift cards are really appreciated by the recipients. Please email Dodie Brady anytime at dorotheabrady@globalharmonyexcellence.org or give her a call between 9 and 5:30 to learn the latest needs to be filled at (202) 244-1682.
GRATITUDE
Thank you so much for your kindness and taking the time to buy useful and thoughtful gifts for families in difficult circumstances. We very much appreciate your support. These are perilous times for many individuals. Your giving can bring relief and hope. We tell our recipients the gifts come from caring people who are rooting for their well-being. If we were to have a miraculous overflow of gifts, we donate them to other groups in need. There are so many people who need a helping hand now and will continue to need support in 2024.
How else can you participate?
We accept financial contributions all year long. Our current projects include:
- Our holiday tradition of over three decades
- Sponsoring the 36th essay contest in Spring 2024 for DCPS and DCPCS students
- Showcasing past essayists
- Building a presence on social media
- Adding to and strengthening our Board of Directors
- Updating and maintaining our web site
- Exploring options for a legacy
We have been accepted by a publishing company to put together a book to publish the essays of students over 35 years. We need to make that happen. We are laying groundwork for an international essay contest and other activities. Our 2020, 2021, and 2022 990EZ’s should be posted soon on the IRS website and, until then, can be available upon request.