Do you have room to add one more gift to your holiday shopping list? It could be very meaningful to an older adult who’s all alone this holiday season.
The County of San Diego Public Guardian’s is holding a holiday drive to provide gifts to their clients who would not otherwise receive anything.
“This is our fifth year doing the holiday drive,” said Terrance Corrigan, assistant public administrator/public guardian. “The drive was originally started for our indigent clients.
“We wanted to be able get them a few things that they needed but had no funds to purchase for themselves.”
The Public Guardian’s serves as the legally-appointed guardian or conservator for people found by the courts to not be able to take care of themselves or their assets. Generally they are older, frail and vulnerable adults who are at risk or have already been a victim of abuse or neglect.
Most of them are without family to spend time with during the holidays and would most likely not receive any gifts without this gift drive.
“Over the years, we’ve expanded the effort enough to be able to get a small gift or two for each of our approximately 100 clients,” said Corrigan.
Staff from the office visit the clients at least once every 30 days and will deliver the gifts.
“The holiday drive is a way for all of our staff to get involved,” said Corrigan. “They wrap all the gifts and then go out and deliver the presents.”
Some examples of items (new and unwrapped) needed by the older adults:
- Sweaters/hooded sweatshirts/beanies (all sizes)
- Large-number clock radios or watches
- Slippers (larger sizes with hard/rubber bottoms)
- Support pillows
- Large-print books (new or gently used)
- Gift cards (for places like Walmart or Target or Visa cards)
The donations can be dropped off at the Public Guardian’s office at 5560 Overland Avenue, Suite 130, San Diego, 92123. Lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gifts from companies contracted with the County or cash donations cannot be accepted. Please call 858-694-3500 if you have any questions.
“I look forward to the holiday drive each year,” said Corrigan. “It certainly makes you appreciate family, friends and all the good things we have in our lives but don’t always stop to recognize.”
