Nothing says summer like a good Christmas carol, right?

The quirky fundraiser, ‘Christmas in July’, will occur at Grace Barker Health (54 Barker Ave., Warren) on Monday, July 17 at 6 p.m.

Jim Baptista, the event organizer, said that he used to gather with a large group and sing carols at nursing homes many years ago. “I called some guys and said, ‘Hey, I’m getting the band back together again,’” he said. But due to Covid restrictions, the festive event couldn’t take place during the winter months. “I asked if we could do it in July. They were all for it.”

Baptista has put together a crew including three guitar players and as many as 20 carolers to bring joy to Grace Barker residents. The event will also double as a food drive and a fundraiser for the nonprofit group Together With Love, which aims to combat human trafficking. Del’s has volunteers to serve refreshments as well.

Those interested in donating food can do so prior to the event, as Baptista has set up a truck at 58 Barker Ave., near the nursing home, to collect items leading up to the day. Baptista said that depending on how much food he collects, some will stay local while some would be donated to the Veterans Food Pantry in Johnston, which is facing severe need.