Aging Ahead is committed to identifying and addressing the challenges facing many local older adults. We are thankful for community support, including many dedicated volunteers, through which we are able to implement programs and services designed to help ensure all have opportunities to age well.
Nearly 20 years ago, Anne learned of our Christmas meals program in which volunteers deliver meals to vulnerable adults on Christmas Day. She wanted to help by preparing gift bags to accompany meal deliveries. Because of their dedication and generosity, Anne and her family have granted hundreds of seniors the gift of community on Christmas Day!
After her children and grandchildren were grown, Anne felt that their holiday money would be better spent helping those in need. She encouraged each family member to spend $50 on hygienic products, non-perishable food, and winter clothing for the gift bags, and she introduced their tradition of assembling the gift bags together, as a family. As the years went on, their operation has grown immensely and now includes her great-grandchildren, coworkers, and bridge team! Anne and her team are responsible for assembling over 250 gift bags each holiday season, totaling over 4,500 bags in 20 years!
Mary, an assisted living resident, describes the impact of the meal and gift bag she received on Christmas in a letter to Aging Ahead, “It meant so much to me to have a family that didn’t even know me take the time to deliver a meal and gift to me. They were the only visitors and gift I received this Christmas, and it will always be so special to me.” Aging Ahead would like to express a warm thank you to Anne and her rock-star team for their generosity and dedication in making this program successful.
Support Highlights:
- Christmas Meals Program
- Case Management
- Individual Assessments
- Volunteer Support
To learn more about our volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page.
If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your story today!
Thank you, in advance, for taking time to read and share our monthly stories. We hope they inform and inspire a greater understanding of our impactful, supportive services for that is simply the heart of the matter.