For most of the year, Judy’s home is already warm and welcoming. But when the holidays
arrive, she transforms it into something magical. Santa's, snowmen, and decades of
collected decorations fill every room. Creating that festive atmosphere brings her joy, but
one beloved tradition has been missing for a long time: Christmas lights.
At 86, climbing a ladder is no longer safe, and for nearly twenty years she has gone without
the lights that once made her home shine. She missed them more than she ever let on. The
holidays can feel heavy at times, and the glow of those lights always lifted her spirits.
This year, something changed. Through TCAA’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors holiday lights
program, a small team of volunteers arrived at Judy’s Tempe home with ladders, strings of
lights, and the kind of excitement that sets the tone for the whole season. They spent the
morning clipping lights along the roofline, chatting with Judy, and bringing back a tradition
she thought she had lost forever.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors is designed to support seniors in practical ways, but
moments like Judy’s show that meeting emotional needs matters too. A festive home may
not be a basic necessity, but it can brighten a season that might otherwise feel lonely. For
Judy, that brightness is more than decoration; it’s a reminder that people in her community
care.
The volunteers who visited her home return year after year to help seniors across Tempe
decorate safely. They often say the connections they form are what brings them back. For
Judy, those connections are just as meaningful. Watching her home light up for the first
time in two decades filled her with gratitude and renewed holiday cheer.
As the lights flickered on that evening, Judy said she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long
time: cared for. And while she treasures the beauty of the lights, she treasures the
kindness that put them there even more.
Know a senior that needs a little extra help at home? Call 480-389-1444 or visit Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Want to help seniors in our community? We are seeking volunteers for Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Please email volunteer1@tempeaction.org for more information.
