On a Wednesday morning, a closet inside the Dallas 24 Hour Club’s new Trevor’s Place center burst open to a wave of holiday generosity. A group of “elves” gathered to open and sort boxes of donations, setting the stage for a day of hope for residents in early recovery.
Holiday Donations Bring Hope to Residents in Early Recovery
The Dallas 24 Hour Club, also known as “The 2-4,” is a sober transitional living home that offers wrap‑around services to people in drug or alcohol recovery who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming unhoused. The club’s holiday donation drive is designed to help residents mend fractured family relationships during a time that can feel especially difficult for those in early recovery.
“The holidays are hard in recovery,” Dallas 24 Hour Club alumna Vanessa Woods said. “Especially early recovery.”
The club sets up a toy market where residents can shop for their families for free. This allows them to give a game, a toy, a basketball, or other gifts to their children, nieces, or nephews, and helps reconnect them with loved ones.
The 2-4: A Safe Haven and Last Place for Support
Dallas 24 Hour Club Advocate Chair Tami Darlington explained that the club is often the final place residents turn to for help. “This isn’t the first place they come. It’s usually the last place,” Darlington said.
The 24 Hour Club offers more than just shelter. It provides a sense of dignity and joy at a time that can seem not so happy. Residents receive stockings stuffed with donated essentials and gift certificates, giving them tangible support during the holiday season.
Community Engagement: Toy Market, Stockings, and Gift Certificates
The club’s toy market is a key component of the donation drive. Residents can browse donated items and choose gifts for their families without cost. The club also encourages community involvement through an Amazon Wish List, which is open for donations until December 12th.
“I think it provides so much dignity and joy at a time that can seem not so happy,” Darlington added. “It definitely pushes out that feeling of loneliness, and replaces it with a sense of being cared for, and a sense of community,” Woods said.
Voices of Impact
When Woods was in her early recovery, she found it challenging for her family to be welcoming during the holidays. She spent the last holiday season at “The 2-4,” expecting it to be difficult, depressing, and lonely. Instead, the people, programs, and support offered by the club created fond memories.
“Hope. I think it gives a sense of hope,” Woods said.
These firsthand accounts underscore the importance of the club’s holiday initiatives, which aim to restore connection, provide comfort, and foster a sense of community for residents.
Key Takeaways
- The Dallas 24 Hour Club uses holiday donations to help residents reconnect with family.
- A toy market and stocked stockings provide free gifts and essential items.
- Community donations are accepted through December 12th via an Amazon Wish List.
The Dallas 24 Hour Club’s holiday donation drive demonstrates how community generosity can bring hope and support to individuals in early recovery, helping them rebuild relationships and find a sense of belonging during the holiday season.
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