When her mother was alive and in a nursing home, Eunice Horn noticed some residents never got a visitor or presents even during the holidays.
That’s why when, Horn, 71, was looking for a Christmas project through her church, she learned the County Public Administrator/Public Guardian (PA/PG) collects gifts every year for their frail and vulnerable clients. She decided to join their effort.
Starting today, PA/PG staff members will begin delivering presents to about 150 clients, including 100 gift bags with a variety of items bought by Horn and her husband Ed.
The bags—50 for men and 50 for women—contain snacks, toiletries, journals, calendars, and many other items Horn purchases and collects throughout the year. The bags also contain a pair of slippers, hand-knit by four ladies at the Tierrasanta Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
“I love doing it. I am happy when I am doing something for others,” said Horn, who donated 58 gift bags last year. “It’s a little something to brighten their day.”
Assistant Public Administrator/Public Guardian Terrance Corrigan organizes the gift drive every year. His goal is to make sure each client, who lives in a local nursing home, board and care or independent living facility, receives a gift.
About 20 PA/PG staff members will deliver the presents and spend time visiting with their clients during daily visits through December 21.
“Our clients have no friends or family to spend time with during the holiday season,” said Corrigan, adding that decreasing social isolation and protecting their clients from potential abuse or neglect is part of the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative.
“We bring the presents and spend time with them. It’s a good time of year to go out and present them with a small gift for the holiday.”
While the majority of the presents come from the Horns, the rest of the Public Guardian clients will receive gifts donated by County employees and private donors who have heard about gift drive.
Corrigan stated he is surprised and grateful by people’s generosity, especially Eunice Horn.
“What she does is amazing,” said Corrigan, who was visibly moved when picking up the boxes of bags from Horn’s church. “The goodness of people is so touching.”
