Delaware’s Division of Health and Social Services is asking for donations for their annual Adopt-A-Resident holiday program.
Each year, gifts are delivered to residents at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna and the Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City.
Jennifer Bobel, volunteer services coordinator for the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities says many people have little family involvement or support.
“So we make sure everybody get something,” she says. “They open gifts on Christmas Day and it really is fabulous to see because a lot of them just don’t have anyone to give to them. We really do rely on the local community to make them feel special on the holiday.”
Donors will be provided with an identification code and a wish list and are asked to spend approximately $25.
Bobel says program volunteers get as much out of the program as the residents.
“They know they’ve really made a difference in the life of a resident who lives in a long term care facility, who doesn't have very much interaction with the outside,” she notes. “It just makes them feel wonderful knowing that they were able to make someone’s life a little bit better.”
There are just over 200 program participants in the state’s two long term care facilities.
For more information on how you can make a donation to the Adopt-A-Resident program call 302-223-1011
