By Lisa Esposito
The Elves for Elders was a huge success thanks to our legal community. The Community Services Committee adopted every elder on Aging Solution’s Elves for Elders gift list. That’s more than 250 elderly wards of the state! We also raised almost $7,000 for non-covered medical services such as dental and vision care. Thank you to every elf who donated, volunteered, or spread the word. We are making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and changing negative opinions about our legal community!
To date, we have adopted every veteran on the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital’s hardship list, and now we have found an elf and placed presents under an elderly person’s tree/menorah for the holidays. Give yourself a pat on the back.
In November and December, we asked the community to adopt (be an elf) for a needy elderly person whose wish list was simple ― a shirt, socks, and maybe a teddy bear for when times got tough. One elderly man asked for a stuffed cat for his bed, and another requested a purple bunny with long ears. These wish lists brought tears to many people’s eyes as the lists encompassed basic necessities. Your response was overwhelming. Every elder found an elf, and that gray cat and purple bunny made the holidays brighter for those two particular elders!
On December 21 and 22, CSC volunteers spent time at a nursing home, giving out gifts to elders on our list, passing out candy to every elder we met, donning an elf hat (or maybe even a pair of elf shoes), and singing holiday songs, whether in tune or not! Volunteers thought they were giving back, but they walked away realizing that they got much more. They remembered what the holidays are all about ― giving to others in need. I saw many smiles and a few tears, but I also saw a group of people who didn’t know each other come together, sing some songs, and smile at the joy they brought to people who are often forgotten that time of year.
In fact, one 90-year-old named Jose got out of a wheelchair to sing and dance to “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” because he got a new pair of sneakers that actually fit. He told us he hasn’t had shoes that fit in two years, but now he could get up and walk around to help others. He called us angels. I don’t know about angels, but we certainly made a difference in Jose’s life, and that is what the CSC is trying to do.
If you couldn’t participate in Elves for Elders, no worries. In May, the CSC will work with a nonprofit organization for abused children, A Kid’s Place, where we hope to hold a pirate plunder party for these deserving kids. We need volunteers, donations, and sponsors for a bouncy house, lunch, games, and pirate plunder. Arrrg! Please help the CSC continue to make a difference. We can’t do it without you! Contact Lisa Esposito at lisa@lesposito.com or Lara LaVoie at lmlavoie11@gmail.com.
