Denver Basket of Joy

The Basket of Joy program began in 1988 when Woody Paige (who was then a columnist with the Denver Post) requested Christmas cards for two elderly sisters who had been victims of a morally bankrupt financial planner.

I provided two fruit baskets for Woody to present to the sisters and the next year we made 5,000 baskets to be given to isolated senior citizens in the Denver area. Each year since then the number of baskets we build and deliver has been between 5,000 and 10,000. In 2004, we passed the milestone of having built and delivered 100,000 baskets.

Each year at Christmas, over 300 volunteers build the 5,000 to 6,000 baskets in a single morning and an additional 200 to 300 more volunteers deliver the baskets to "isolated" senior citizens. For many of the basket recipients, this is the only human contact they have during the holiday season.

This lens contains some of Woody's early columns, photos from the 2007 event and a video interview made by channel 6 in Denver.

This year (2009) will be our 21st year for the Basket of Joy program, and will take place on Saturday, December 12th. We are ACTIVELY seeking volunteers to deliver baskets to recipients throughout the Denver area. After delivering one or two baskets, we think you will agree that this was one of the more memorable Christmas events you have ever participated in.

If, after watching the video and reading the columns, you feel that you would like to buy a fruit basket or two for isolated senior citizens this Christmas, please click on the link shown below. It will take you to the donation page for the Denver Chapter of the Volunteers of America...
Donate to the Denver Basket of Joy program

The cost of each basket is about $6.60, but of course you can donate any amount you like. When filling in the box, please indicate you would like your donation to go towards the 2008 Basket of Joy program.

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