Chanukah Gift Wrapping Set for Oct. 16

It may be time for the High Holy Days, but in New Orleans thoughts are already turning to Chanukah. On Oct. 16, the Jewish Children’s Regional Service will hold its annual Chanukah Gift Wrap-a-thon, relying on volunteers of all ages to help wrap thousands of small Chanukah gifts for JCRS clients in a seven-state region.

The party will be at the Goldring/Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a break at 11 a.m. for the Dan Nichols concert.

The agency sends packages with eight Chanukah gifts — one for each night — to children in the region, which includes Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Some of these children are recovering from natural disasters, some have Special Needs, and some are new immigrants. They may have parents who are deceased, disabled, in prison, or deployed overseas. Almost all come from families who are struggling to stay afloat in the current economy.

Gifts are also sent to Jewish residents of adult care facilities in the region.

Refreshments will be served at the wrapping party, and there will also be a viewing of that day’s New Orleans Saints 3:15 p.m. road game against Tampa Bay. Child care will be available in the afternoon for ages 3 to 7.