Tim McLoone and group home resident Missy Barrett.
Few events are as eagerly anticipated at Matheny as the annual holiday concert presented by Holiday Express, the all-volunteer band that delivers music, food, gifts and friendship to those in need during the holiday season. Holiday Express has been coming to Matheny since 2001, and several of the volunteer musicians are like old friends, just stopping by for a visit.
Tim McLoone, the leader and founder of Holiday Express, dedicated this year’s concert, held on December 8 in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center, to “all the volunteers, social workers, therapists, all the staff members. You are so amazing for what you do for all of these wonderful people.”
From the Holiday Express theme song, “Nobody Ought to be Alone on Christmas” to the rollicking, interactive “12 Days of Christmas,” the afternoon translated into two hours of pure joy and happiness.
Thank you, Holiday Express. All the wonderful musicians who give so freely of their time truly make this a season of joy. Matheny is but one of 60 venues the group visits between mid-November and Christmas Eve.
From left, Holiday Express singer Doris Jackson, Cathy Wild of Bedminster, NJ, and her son James, a Matheny student.
