CLEVELAND, Ohio — Christmas came early for Raymond and Susan May.
- Staffers of the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services personally bought, wrapped and hand-delivered gifts to 200 Cuyahoga County seniors in need
- The Agency’s administrator says the gifts are things that senior citizens need, but don’t always have easy access to obtain
- Along with the gift, each senior also received a food basket
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish arrives at their Cleveland home bearing gifts.
The Mays are aware Budish is playing Santa, but what they don't know is that staffers of the Division of Senior and Adult Services personally bought and wrapped their gifts.
The mays aren’t the only ones receiving gifts.
It's part of Cuyahoga County's Division of Senior and Adult Services’ inaugural "Elves for Elders" program.
200 seniors in need are receiving gifts and food this holiday season, thanks to the "personal" contributions of county staffers.
“This was not in our budget. We have no budget to do this, and so staff raised to the challenge… they stepped up, and now we're so grateful that 200 employees stepped up to purchase gifts for our clients,” said Tracey Mason, administrator, Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services.
And for the seniors, the gifts are more than something to put under the tree. They’re items that senior citizens need.
“Every client had an opportunity just to request two items and Mr. Michael asked for a food basket and a set of towels. We're talking about meeting clients where they are and providing some of the basic needs,” said Mason. “We know that many older adults are on fixed incomes. Many of them are making difficult choices between food and medicine, food and utilities, or even just some of the basic necessities to get through today.”
Mason says hand-delivering the gifts makes all the difference.
Checking in with senior citizens personally is vital to their physical and emotional health.
“Now, older adults are often looking for someone to connect with, and again, this is one small way to do that,” said Mason.
“It's tough to get old and be living on your own. So, loneliness and social connectivity are, are extremely important issues that we have to deal with for people throughout the county as they age,” said Budish. “They have provided so much to us over the years. It's only right that we try to return a little bit of the, the wonderfulness that they've given to us.”
The division has their hands full, not only with gifts, but with seniors.
They say it’s up to them to ensure seniors feel supported and safe, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.
“We need to make sure that we're building communities that are age-friendly, and that we could make sure our older adults are safe, and that they are receiving the service services that they need,” said Mason.
According to Cuyahoga County officials, in Cleveland, individuals 60 years old and over will soon outnumber those under the age of 20.