Santa’s Seniors
The holidays are over and winter has finally arrived. However, the individuals involved in Santa’s Seniors are still feeling a happy glow – whether they were involved in giving or receiving. In total, 400 boxes were packed with puzzles, scarves, hats, socks, blankets, non-perishable foods, bottled water, and personal care essentials, and distributed to area seniors in December.
“STEP is very grateful to the generous residents and businesses of Lycoming and Clinton counties that make this project possible each year. You can be assured that your generosity has brightened the lives of many older adults. One man said it had been many years since he had received a Christmas gift,” said Fred Shrimp, Director of STEP’s Office of Aging.
The Sun Gazette, The Lock Haven Express, East Lycoming Shopper and News, and Backyard Broadcasting’s WILQ, WZXR, WRVH, WWPA and WBZD all provided extensive publicity and coverage for the donation drive. The media outlets also served as donation drop-off locations, delivering the staggering collection of individual donations to the STEP offices.
STEP’s Office of Aging Meals on Wheels program coordinated the project, which saw the following local businesses and groups contribute goods, gift cards, and cash: Weis Markets; Quantum Labs; Reese’s Print Shop; Woolrich; Geisinger Lock Haven; Steinbacher & Stahl; First Quality Products; Helminiak’s Greenhouse; Manor Care; Brigandi, Gleghorn & Associates, Inc.; Frito-Lay Inc.; Kellogg Co.; the seniors of the Meck Senior Center; the Ralston United Methodist Church; Elmcroft of Loyalsock; Keebler; Nabisco; the Muncy Inmates Organization from SCI Muncy; and Phoenix Physical Therapy. Sheetz, Weis Markets, Pudgies Pizza and Giant Food Stores contributed refreshments for the many volunteers who sorted the donations and packed them into gift boxes.
To add more holiday cheer to the gifts, a craft group from STEP’s Clinton County Community Center and students from STEP Head Start classrooms created cards for the recipients.
The donations were sorted and the boxes packed by volunteers from STEP’s Office of Aging programs, service members from STEP AmeriCorps, and by others from the community who wanted to help. The Pennsylvania State Police delivered boxes in Montoursville and Renovo. STEP’s Meals on Wheels volunteers delivered boxes on their routes throughout Lycoming and Clinton counties.
“Bringing my nieces with me to volunteer for Santa’s Seniors through AmeriCorps made them see things more clearly about the real reason for the season. It’s not to just receive, but to be able to give without looking for anything in return,” said Ikeima Lowe, a STEP AmeriCorps Member who helped with assembling the gifts.
About STEP, Inc.
STEP, Inc. is one of 1,100 Community Action Agencies nationwide, and a member of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1966 and formally known as the Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP), Inc., the agency is celebrating 50 years of partnerships and service to the community throughout 2016. The mission of STEP, Inc. is to engage diverse individuals, families, and communities in the pursuit of social and economic success. STEP, Inc.’s mission is accomplished through five Pathways to Success: Early Learning, Housing Options, Workforce Development, Community Collaboration, and Independent Living.
