Educational Media Reviews Online

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of volunteerism among Americans in 2007 was over 25%. The filmmakers’ aim in creating this film undoubtedly was to document the good humor and joy that this kind of activity inspires in over a quarter of the country’s population and to encourage the spirit of public service in others. By taking a close look at the hard work and dedication of one organization, Holiday Express, the audience is treated to a lively pastiche of anecdotes and heartening mediations on volunteerism.

The group’s founder, musician Tim McCloone, states the purpose of the group: “We bring a piece of the holiday to people who don’t normally see a holiday.” Holiday Express performs free concerts and hosts Christmas parties at nursing homes and children’s care centers in the New Jersey area, from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, passing out gift bags arranged ahead of time to contain both useful and fun donated materials appropriate to their varying audiences. Known to schedule as many as 50 shows in 30 days, Holiday Express exists due to the irrepressible energy of its founders and an army of volunteers who take part in rehearsals, fundraising, event management, and other sundry tasks.

The audience is also given a sense of the delicate balance between good cheer and too much of a good thing – Holiday Express’s one paid (and thoroughly exhausted) employee offers a realistic assessment of the organization’s limitations as she worries about issues of over commitment and underfunding. (The production is injected with a moment of drama when the organization unexpectedly loses its warehouse lease.) Perseverance and enthusiasm will light the way – the delighted beneficiaries of this charitable cause are also given the spotlight, and one segment records a volunteer’s observations about the numerous indigent men who frequent a local soup kitchen. She notes that these individuals are not capable of maintaining gainful employment, and that society must find a way to care for those who cannot take care of themselves. This controversial, though charitable, observation expands the emotional center of the film to that of a larger, more crucial issue facing American society.

This versatile film is packaged with two versions – a feature-length documentary and a shorter educational version. (The educational version is pared down to focus more on the volunteers’ personal testimonials than Holiday Express’s organizational challenges.) Rock and a Heart Place will be useful for service learning classes and sociology courses, or for any viewer looking to explore the true meaning of giving during the holiday season.