Senior-Friendly Goody Bags to be Distributed to Panhandle & Big Bend Resident
The Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc. and Elder Care Services, Inc. are teaming up to deliver goody bags for some 500 homebound seniors in the Panhandle and Big Bend regions, but they need your help. The COVID pandemic and social distancing has made it extremely difficult for homebound seniors to receive in person visits, and many of them have been quarantined alone during this time.
That is why the agencies are asking members of the community to pitch in and donate items such as senior-friendly crossword and word search books, coloring books and crayons, sketch books and color pencils, decks of playing cards, jigsaw puzzles and other similar items – including monetary gifts – to help fill the goody bags.
“Travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic have left many in our senior population homebound, making them feel especially isolated and alone,” said Lisa Bretz, Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc. “Generous donations from our community will continue to help keep them active, engaged and entertained during these difficult times.”
“We are very grateful that so many area businesses and members of the community jump right into action when they know we have a need,” said Jocelyne Fliger, CEO of Elder Care Services. “We are humbled during these difficult times to see our fellow Floridians contribute valuable donations of time, energy and resources, to help us protect one of our most vulnerable populations. We truly could not do it without them.”
Effective today, senior-friendly donations may be dropped off at the following collection points:
- In Tallahassee/Leon County, collection boxes will be located at:
- Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, 2414 Mahan Dr.
- Elder Care Services, Inc., 2518 West Tennessee St.
- To make donations in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, & Washington counties, or for assistance with bulk donations, please call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
Additionally, any Floridians who would prefer to make a monetary contribution allowing the Area Agency on Aging to purchase items for the goody bags can call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
For further information on donations and distribution of senior-friendly Goody bags, please call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
About the Advantage Aging Solutions
Incorporated in 1978, the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc. d/b/a Advantage Aging Solutions serves as the designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for the Panhandle and Big Bend areas, assisting seniors, individuals with disabilities, families and caregivers access information, referral and assistance for federal, state and local resources. For more information, visit www.aaanf.org.
Elder Care Services, Inc., a private non-profit corporation, is the lead aging services agency in Leon County. They are dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors with programs allowing them to remain at home with dignity. For more information, visit www.eldercarebigbend.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eldercaretally.
