Notes From The Road
is a new Holiday Express feature, similar to a blog,
written by Tim McLoone during the bus rides home from our events! We hope
you enjoy reading about how Holiday Express fulfills our mission – no matter what –
from Tim's personal and candid observations.
....And so it begins.
Season #17 was suddenly upon us as we delivered event # 628 at Woodbine Developmental and #629 at Ancora. And what appropriate places they were to start out, both a stark reminder of why we do this.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Woodbine Developmental Center
On Monday, a gloomy day, we saw the men of Woodbine. Because of the early 10 am bus, we had a small band of volunteers, some of them first-time Holiday express "newbies." On the long ride to Woodbine, located somewhere deep in the Pine Barrens, there really was no way to explain to them what they were about to experience.
It's always amazing to me to see familiar faces at these events but there they were. Even though it was men only, dancing was the rule of the day and the audience was quick to get into the spirit of the party as the band opened with Val leading the way on "We Need A Little Christmas." It was a small band with Jerry "The Legend" acting as the entire horn section, but it actually sounded pretty good (every once in awhile) and we all agreed it was surprising how fast the time went. And, you know what? There is still something special about belting out "All Alone At Christmas" for the first time. It still gets you.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
There is no public facility in NJ, except perhaps the Statehouse, that has been more pilloried in the media over the past year than Ancora. I am sure the abuses and other problems that were uncovered were real, but what we encountered bore no resemblance to any of that. We had a slightly larger band, albeit without a horn section, but a few new band members were in attendance for their Holiday Express debut. It was a slow start as most of the 300 or so residents were busy eating their tasty Jersey Mike's subs (please shop there), but once they got going, the party took off like a rocket. I think the main reason was the staff who, we were told, volunteered to be there. They got involved with everything we did right from the get-go and it rubbed off on the clients. Probably one of the best versions ever of "…candles burnin' low…" with a dozen or so of the staff belting out the last verse. "12 Days" was hysterical, particularly with Louis, the wandering "French Hen," but the best was yet to come. BethAnne's son, Paul, debuted his soon to be hit single, "I Love Santa Claus," while sitting on the piano as his Mom backed him up. Wait 'til you hear this… and Paul wrote it! And he's not even 7 yet !!!
That was followed by Mary D'Arcy's always impressive rendition of "Oh Holy Night" that moved one resident to tenderly kiss Mary's hand as she sang. Talk about your Holiday Express "moments!" The raffles were really appreciated at both events and soon it was time to go from Ancora, but we just couldn't stop, adding "Love Train," which got almost the whole room on the floor – even those confined to chairs. Then it was "All Alone At Christmas" and it was done. A wonderful start to the season.
Two down and only 48 to go.
Tuesday, December 1
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Today was our annual Trenton Trip with stops at Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and then Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. We were reflecting on the fact that we have taken this trip in a wild snowstorm, windy rains, and hail, but yesterday was kind of mild and nice out. It's nonetheless always a jolt when we drive up to the Soup Kitchen and see several of their clients sleeping on the cold ground outside.
By all accounts, yesterday was our 14th year at TASK. In some ways it has changed: new
directors and, of course, we lost our good old friend Tyrone a few years back. But in most ways
it is the same. Desperately impoverished people, aged well beyond their years, and most of them with a certain "street" look, whether from being out in the elements, or the more visible scars on their faces.
We never got a final count but it looked like between 400-500 came through and had a meal while we played away. The original estimate was thought to be closer to 800 since we had served 700+ the year before but, we were told, the turnout was lighter yesterday because they were wherever they live waiting for government checks.
The clients there are always surprisingly receptive to us and the highlight had to be Desiree singing "White Christmas" with the band and then some other songs later. A great voice. And then there was young Michael, as pleasant as you could want, 23-years-old and there with his Mom. When I asked what plans he had, he seemed, at first, perplexed that someone would ask him that and then embarrassed that he really didn't have an answer. Heartbreaking. And so it goes at the Trenton Soup Kitchen.
Trenton Psychiatric was crazy and fun as always. The staff there really makes an effort with their patients. I could not believe how many staff members were dancing with, or hugging their clients, many of whom are obviously difficult to handle. We never cease to be amazed that these social workers come back there everyday to do their life's calling. It is truly humbling.
We saw a lot of the same faces we have seen there for many years now. The big aspiration for most of them is to be released into a group home of some sort but, in many cases, the waiting lists are long. In so many of the cases, however, you can readily see how they would have difficulty surviving in an unsupervised environment.
We were getting a lot of group participation, singing and dancing for awhile but then, after about an hour or so, all the energy just drained out of the room. We don't know if it was related to medications or what, but quickly evryone started drifting away. It happens like this every year.
But we'll be back.