First State nursing homes are seeking donations for their residents ahead of the holiday season.
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is asking the public to sponsor residents at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna and the Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City.
For more than 30 years the adopt-a-resident program has sought to ensure each resident at these nursing homes has a gift to open on Christmas morning.
DHSS Volunteer Services Coordinator Jennifer Bobel says the gifts go a long way for people who have limited resources.
“They don’t maybe have family that live nearby, or they might just have little family involvement, therefore we rely on the community and volunteers to kind of fill in during that time of the holiday,” said Bobel.
Bobel says she will send wish lists from residents to those looking to donate. Gifts can be delivered to the nursing homes. Monetary gifts are also accepted as well as small donations from a list of items meant as stocking stuffers.
“That might be a radio or no-slip socks. It could be anything from a fishing pole to a stationary or electric razor. So that’s just an example of some of the items on their wish list,” said Bobel.
Bobel says she wants all residents to have a sponsor by December 3rd. She can be reached by email Jennifer.Bobel@state.de.us or phone 302-223-1011.