In a show of holiday spirit, volunteers from Tempe Community Action Agency have been stringing lights and bringing festive cheer to seniors across the city, including 86-year-old Judy Enz who hasn't seen her home lit up for Christmas in nearly 20 years, as reported by ABC15.
These volunteers are part of a decade-old initiative called Neighbors Helping Neighbors, they use their own ladders, clips, and an array of colorful lights to decorate the exteriors of senior homes—in Judy's case, the service is completely free, with Carrie Aranda from the group sharing with ABC15, "She's not paying anything for this, Judy’s a wonderful part of our program, and we’re just happy to help." Judy Enz's newly adorned home now glows with Christmas lights, which hadn't graced the residence in two decades, and she's utterly grateful, desiring special recognition for the agency volunteers, "Because they're a tremendous group and they help so much."
According to AZFamily, the volunteer effort is a tradition that fosters reconnection for participants like Casey Thomas, a seven-year volunteer who compares the good deed to looking after someone’s grandparent, making it "just really heartwarming." Thomas mentioned the routine helps them reunite and lifts spirits through the season, creating a sense of care and importance for those like Enz who take pride in their homes but can't manage the physical task of hanging decorations themselves.
Nancy Peralta, a community health worker with the Tempe Community Action Agency, highlights the emotional impact of the program, telling AZFamily, "Just the fact that someone is coming and they’re putting lights on their house, it’s just putting a big smile on them, and that means that we care about them." The initiative in Tempe doesn't stand alone but reflects a growing concern and care for seniors during the holiday season, providing a literal and metaphorical light for those like Judy Enz, who felt "like somebody cares and that’s great," demonstrating the breadth of holiday spirit beyond the tangible glow of Christmas lights.
