The Northwest Voice

By: Debora Savoy and Denise deCock

We would like to thank the citizens of Kern County for making the 2007 “Be a Santa to a Senior” program a huge success. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 17, Aging and Adult Services, along with Curves, Cookies by Design, Bank of America, Sweet Surrender, Toyota, Haddad Dodge and Protégé Salon, hosted Christmas trees adorned with ornaments listing names of isolated and lonely seniors and gift requests. Thanks to the generous support of our program partners and the community, more than 2,200 gifts were donated and delivered to 750 area seniors!

We also wish to thank Mayor Harvey Hall who supported our efforts by attending the city-wide gift wrapping party at Laurel Springs Assisted Living Community and proclaiming Dec. 6 Be a Santa to a Senior day.

Finally, we wish to thank the hundreds of community volunteers who dedicated hours to the program — from the beautiful hand-crafted Christmas cards from the children of the Standard School District to the many volunteers who wrapped and delivered gifts to smiling seniors.

Thank you for giving back to hundreds of deserving seniors who have given so much to our community over the years.