Haverhill
“I had two people this year say it was the only Christmas gift they got,” said Mary Welch, coordinator of the Orford Senior Center. Another recipient said, “Oh goodness this is just so nice of you and Kendal.” Yet another exclaimed, “Oh! Santa came this year,” Welch said.
This is the fourth year in a row the committee, made up of Kendal at Hanover staff and residents, has put together gift bags that include hand cream, candy and tissues — “just small things that help make the holidays a little warmer,” said David Watts, director of human resources at Kendal — for other senior citizens in the Upper Valley. This year, lap blankets were included with the gift bags.
“This was wonderful and I know that the people out there getting meals on wheels are very appreciative,” said Roberta Berner, executive director of the Grafton County Senior Citizens Council. The goodies will be delivered to about 200 Meals on Wheels recipients by Christmas.
“It means a lot,” Welch said. “A lot of people, when we deliver home meals, it’s the only person they see all day.”
Which makes the gifts mean that much more.
“We understand that there’s a larger elderly population in the area that’s underserved, and we just want to be able to do our part to make their holidays a little brighter,” Watts said.
It’s a small gesture with a big meaning: to bring joy.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
