Holiday Care Packages for Childless Elders

Originally published in 2021, this information is still valid, as Jobi is again accepting donations this 2022. Continue reading for more information about this incredible initiative…

Within the childless community, I often hear CNBC say that they want to create their own unique holiday traditions. Though we childless long to make Christmas our own, we often struggle with how to do this exactly. Because of that, it has been my goal each holiday season to offer my perspective about Redefining Christmas…

A social media post…

As I was scrolling through Instagram recently, I came across a post by @ChildlessWomen asking for donations to help send holiday care packages to childless elders. Aging without children is becoming a bigger discussion within the childless community, with childless leaders like Jody Day encouraging we childless to care for one another. What a beautiful concept! Creating a community of childless… A family of childless, in which the younger take care of the older.

A brand-new initiative…

Well, that is exactly what Jobi Tyson, founder of Tutum Global, is striving to do this holiday season. Jobi has been an elder advocate since 2011. This year, she says, “I decided to join my two life’s work together: childless women and elders.” To do this, she is asking we childless to “band together for a community-driven effort to send holiday care packages to childless female seniors, so they don’t feel forgotten and disheartened.”

Each care package will include a hand-written card along with three to five “pamper gifts,” such as non-slip fuzzy socks, large-print crossword puzzles, or beauty products. (These are examples only and subject to change due to availability.) These care packages will be distributed to female childless elders at nursing homes, senior centers, and/or adult day care centers throughout the United States. (Because of her work as an elder advocate, Jobi has national contacts.) The goal is to send at least 100 care packages by Christmas Day.

A holiday opportunity…

How can you help?!

DONATE!

A $25 donation will provide one care package. A donation of any amount can be made, however, as funds for tape, tissue paper, shipping, etc. are also needed.

There are three ways to donate…

On a personal note…

Wobble Warning… Discussion of my grandmas’ deaths, grief, redefining, & more…

I lost both my Nana and my Grammy during 2021. So, I have no grandmas for whom to buy Christmas presents. This was weighing heavy on my heart. As a way to redefine, I have donated $50 so that two holiday care packages can be given—one in honor of my Nana and the other in honor of my Grammy. Though this causes grief to engulf my heart and tears to fill my eyes, it also causes me to smile ever so slightly… I know my Nana and my Grammy would be proud of the fact that I am loving others as they so fiercely loved me…

I picture a beautiful, strong, loving childless woman opening her care package on Christmas morning… She is likely to cry and smile, overwhelmed by the fact that her childless community remembered…

You see… It is up to us, fabulous ones. We must care for the elder generation. We must show the younger ones how to create connections, how to redefine family, how to love and unite…

Won’t you please donate? Just click here…

How I know Jobi…

Jobi and I connected several years ago via Not So Mommy… We officially “met” on a phone call and have collaborated on numerous projects. Jobi has shared her story here at Not So Mommy… (You can read it here.) I have shared my story on “As Told By Childless Women.” (You can watch it here.) We worked together on Owning Our Voice during National Infertility Awareness Week® 2021. Currently, I am part of the Editorial Advisory Team for Tutum Journal, a digital magazine for & by childless women, created by Jobi, the editor-in-chief.

I tell you all of this to show that I know Jobi. And I trust her. I have no doubt that she will do exactly what she promises with all donations. Jobi’s dedication to and vision for our childless not by choice community… Well, it is extraordinary. She has a loving heart and strong work ethic. The dedication she brings to projects… It is unrivaled.

So, please… Help Jobi reach the goal of providing at least 100 holiday care packages to female childless elders throughout the United States.