POUGHKEEPSIE … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the County’s Office for the Aging (OFA) invite the community to help make the holiday season warmer and brighter for older adults in need by taking part in the County’s second annual “Support Our Seniors” gift drive, taking place now through Dec. 15.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Our gift drive is a simple way to show Dutchess County’s older adults that their community cares about them. A warm blanket, cozy socks or slippers can brighten someone’s day and remind an older neighbor that they are not forgotten. If you are able to help our older adults with a much-needed item or two, I hope you’ll consider our ‘Support Our Seniors’ drive.”
Donations collected through the gift drive will benefit older adults throughout Dutchess County who may face the holidays with limited resources and little opportunity to shop for themselves. A simple gift can provide both comfort and a reminder that their Dutchess County neighbors care.
The “Supporting Our Seniors” gift drive seeks donations of new, unused and unwrapped items, including:
• Non-slip socks
• Slippers
• Blankets and throws
• Knit hats and caps
• Scarves
• Gloves and mittens
Collection boxes are available at any of the OFA’s eight Friendship Centers; a list of all the centers is available at dutchessny.gov/friendshipcenters. County Executive Serino and the OFA encourage individuals, families, businesses, schools and community groups to participate in the gift drive and help bring a little extra joy to local older adults this winter.
As the number of older adults in Dutchess County continues to grow, community support remains an important resource for ensuring seniors remain connected and cared for, especially during the holiday season. The donated items will help provide warmth, comfort and enjoyment to local older adults.
OFA Director Todd Tancredi said, “Supporting older adults and helping them remain connected to their community is at the heart of the Office for the Aging’s mission. This drive is about more than collecting items. It is about showing our seniors that they matter.”
More information about the “Support Our Seniors” holiday gift drive is available by contacting the OFA at 845-486-2555 or ofa@dutchessny.gov.
