CLEVELAND — Santa’s elves are busy at work getting everything ready for Christmas. Some of them are in northeast Ohio granting special wishes.

Elves at the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services are hard at work preparing to deliver gifts to much-deserving seniors in the community.

"They don't ask for much. Mostly, they just want the company," said social worker Lizzette Mendez-Romain.

Mendez-Romain is a social worker for the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services, but she also doubles as one of Santa's elves delivering gifts to the seniors whose cases she manages. Mendez-Romain made her first delivery to one of her homebound clients.

"He was really excited. He wasn't expecting it,” she said. “Unfortunately, his wife is in a nursing home right now, so he wants to wait to open up the gifts when and if she gets to come home, if he can see her before Christmas."

The seniors are given a list of items they may choose from. The gifts on their lists aren't the typical items usually seen on a wish list.

"Scarves, sweaters, hats, coats, just like basic things. We did give them groceries also and like toiletries," said Mendez-Romain.

A lot of the seniors aren't able to leave their homes, especially because of the pandemic. That's why Marlene Robinson-Statler, the executive officer for the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services said they made sure to provide the seniors with a bag of food as well.

"Not only do we want to make sure that they have nutritious meals and enough to sustain them for some time," said Marlene Robinson-Statler.

Mendez-Romain has many more gifts to deliver and she looks forward to each drop off.

"It's something that I like to do,” she said. “I have a positive energy so whatever I can do to put a smile on someone's face it's easy for me because it's rewarding in itself. I enjoy it."