Shannon Routh
In December 2009, I was receiving chemotherapy and it was just before Christmas. I remember someone walking around handing out gifts and how sweet the gesture was. It was all through a friend I had met, Sharon Grammer, and her organization, Fighting Cancer Inc. During the twelve days of Christmas, she created an initiative called Project Elf. Various people/groups would volunteer for different days and pass out snacks and small gifts to anyone receiving any type of treatment during the twelve days of Christmas. In 2010, I asked how we could help and we have tried to help every year since then. Mostly it has been me and my husband, but then friends would also want to come along and this year, the Teal Diva board even got in on the fun!
I volunteer with Project Elf every year because I know how it feels to be on the receiving end. The holidays are tough. And a cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy radiation…it is all hard enough…now throw in the holidays too. It is an emotional roller coaster. We wish to bring a little joy and even offer hope to those who, like me, are at the hospital during the holidays. And if you know JJ and I, you know we love to bring in a bit of fun with whatever we do, and this is no exception. There have been years when he even dressed as Elf on the Shelf!
This is an amazing project to be a part of year after year. Thank you to everyone who makes this moment happen for so many, we are truly honored to be a part of it.
