Grant benefits seniors for the holidays

SAN DIEGO – Fallbrook Senior Center has won $3,000 from San Diego Seniors Community Foundation. The funds will be used to grow the center’s volunteer outreach to a team of 10 people that will provide 200 isolated older people with holiday decor and hand-written cards and deliver poinsettias to the home-bound and Meals-to-Go members.

The grants are tailored to support centers and nonprofit agencies creating holiday-themed events for older people who are isolated and expected to be apart from family and loved ones this holiday season.

The centers collectively aim to bring joy to socially isolated older people through a variety of holiday activities including drive-thru parties, meal and gift deliveries, and virtual gatherings.

For example, the Ramona Senior Center will create a holiday drive-thru party where senior clients can receive poinsettias, gifts, cards, and festive treats distributed by staff and volunteers.

The Fourth District Senior Center is planning an event for 150 older people to receive a hot curbside meal, a potted poinsettia/Christmas cactus plant, stocking stuffers, and hand-crafted greeting cards.

New data show at least one in three older people won’t see their family this holiday season; therefore, this funding comes at an opportune time as the senior population is experiencing increased social isolation due to COVID-19.

To support isolated older people, the grants from SDSCF will allow organizations to create holiday-themed programming and events that spread joy to vulnerable elders who have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2017. Its priority focus is to improve the lives of older people in San Diego County, so they are physically active, socially connected, and receive the support they need to live healthy, dynamic lives.

SDSCF is founded on the vision of Bob Kelly, former president and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. He is a passionate advocate and committed leader who envisions a world where older people are an essential element of our community –where they are no longer vulnerable, but vibrant.

SDSCF is one of the only community foundations in the country to be solely focused on older people. It exists to ensure that every local older person has someone they can turn to and trust. For more information visit https://sdscf.org/

Submitted by the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation.