‘Twas a week before Christmas, and some very special deliveries were headed for Ability Beyond.

On Dec. 18, the remarkable volunteers of Operation Holiday Joy surprised our group homes and program centers with 130 gift baskets brimming with Girl Scout cookies, candy, kits to build gingerbread houses, apples, oranges, pears, grapes, and notes of holiday cheer. Thank you!

Special gratitude goes to Hugh and Diane McAuley, for once again planning, coordinating, and financially supporting all aspects of Operation Holiday Joy. For his matching donations and contribution of time to wrap and deliver baskets, we thank Kevin Reynolds (of Reynolds Gormley & Co. LLC). We also thank Mike DArrigo (of DArrigo New York) for offering a tremendous discount on fresh fruit from the Hunts Point Produce Market.

Operation Holiday Joy was inspired by Operation Cookie Drop, a Girl Scouts initiative created by Alison Bergman in 2002. That program makes special deliveries to Veterans throughout the Hudson Valley, and Alison graciously participated in Operation Holiday Joy, as well. Thank you Alison for coordinating cookie donations and organizing Girl Scout volunteers to pack baskets!

Fifteen volunteer drivers—including Ability Beyond employees—made sure the baskets arrived safely by hand-delivering them, door-to-door.

During the holiday season and all year round, Ability Beyond appreciates the caring and thoughtful expressions of joy shared by the community members who make our work possible.