7th Annual Christmas Comfort for Seniors Thrives with Community Support
In its 7th year, Christmas Comfort for Seniors continues to grow with generous support from the local community.
Christmas Comfort for Seniors is a program created in 2016 by the staff of the Council on Aging, Gladwin County to help bring a little light and comfort to the homebound seniors they serve.
Before 2016, the staff of the CoA would purchase dog and cat food to distribute for the holiday, but after a donation of some lap blankets, it was decided that something needed to be added for the seniors.
“This is sometimes the only present they receive,” CoA Nutrition Director, Jennifer Bullard said.
And the presents have gone over so well, that the CoA staff is already deciding what to do for next year.
From pet treat bags, to 7 years later, the CoA has expanded the program with the help of donations from the community.
This year each homebound senior as well as any seniors receiving in-home care (non-homebound) were given a hand-wrapped gift box full of “Spa Day” goodies.
Volunteer, Jane Gransden, sewed over 250 washcloth mitts with a pocket to hold soap which was the base of the spa themed box.
Man’s best friends were not forgotten this year, even if the focus of Christmas Comfort has shifted to a warm and fuzzy gift for the humans. Karen and Mike Moore donated bags that contained dog and cat food and treats in bags that were hand decorated by their nieces.
“The seniors love seeing the hand drawn or colored bags,” Bullard said. “And they love that their pets get something nice for the holidays too.”
The community donated personal care items, such as: shampoo, conditions, bars of soap, cookies, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc. Local businesses and organizations got involved as well. Lyle’s Flowers offered their store as a drop off location. New Dawn Shelter donated a few boxes of extra personal care items. City County Transit donated hundreds of chap sticks. Gladwin Assembly of God collected donations from its congregation. Senior Life Solutions donated personal care items. Jessica Zietz’s and her daycare children collected and donated a lot of items and Megal Rowley’s Zumba class participants donated many personal care items, fuzzy socks and cookies.
Along with the boxed gifts, each new senior who signed up for Meals on Wheels in 2022 will be receiving a lap blanket. These will be delivered after the holidays as to not overwhelm the meal delivery drivers.
The staff of the CoA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated items or made monetary donations.
“It just makes you feel good to give a little joy around the holidays,” Program Director, Anna McNeill said, “because that’s what it’s all about.”
Thank you to the following for their donations:
Nancy Giltrop
DeShano Community Foundation
New Dawn Shelter – Doug Lewis
Jane Gransden
Deni Sherman
Karen Blonde
Jayne Hoehn & Penny Sierocki
Linda Winarski
Trish Day & family
Karen & Mike Moore
Brad Lyons
City County Transit
Patricia Munger
Marilea Plude
Lori Stout
Senior Life Solutions
Gladwin Assembly of God
Stephanie Mulligan
Carolyn Hall
Donna Alward
Lyndy Walters
Annette Ritchie
Sheila Ritchie
Susan Wallace
Jessica Zietz & daycare kids
Megal Rowley’s Zumba Class Donors:
Megal Rowley
Lorraine Carman
Karen Shea
Misty Kirtbitz
Lisa Hindman
Adrienne Schlitzkus
Kellie Johnson
Crystal & Bella Kinsey
And any other donors who didn’t leave their name!