Each week in her Make a Difference column, staff writer Meredith Moss shares a wish list from a local non-profit organization.
If your group has a list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
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Life Essentials is the local nonprofit organization that provides professional, person-centered services to enhance the well-being of vulnerable adults.
“We care for our community’s forgotten, those living with mental illness, those who are alone, and those who have no voice,” says Linda Roepken, the group’s executive director. “Life Essentials provides specialized programs that enrich lives by educating and inspiring clients to be in charge of their mental and physical health. “
The group annually sponsors a Socks for Seniors campaign. Last year, the organization collected close to 2,500 sites at nearly 30 locations.
“This is our way to give back to the seniors in our community and to bring a little light into their holidays,” says Roepken.
Their wish list is simple:
The only requirement is that socks are new and unworn.
“We encourage folks to have fun picking out the socks they donate!” says Roepken. “Socks can be fuzzy, plain, short, tall, and colorful and they all go to seniors in our area.”
Keep in mind, that all sizes and varieties of socks are needed.
Drop-off information:
Socks can be dropped off at the Life Essentials office at 40 S. Perry St., Suite 130, from now through Dec. 10. For more information about drop-off locations closer to you or to establish a collection station, please contact Life Essentials at (937) 586-0545 or homeoffice@lifeessentials.org
Many corporations and businesses are also collecting socks for the project. Here are some other drop-off points in our area: Volunteer Lawyers Project; Dept. of Geriatrics WSU, SOM; Code Credit Union; Living Word Church; Compunet; Kettering Fairmont; MB Senior Solutions; Dayton Municipal Courts; ADAMHS; Livingston Care Center; Montgomery County Probate Courts; Vectren Foundation; Community Action Partnership; Citywide Development; Vitas Hospice; Sam’s Club; Samaritan Behavioral Health; Premier Community Health; Kettering Massage Wellness Center; CareSource; Reynolds and Reynolds; Optum; UD; WPAFB; Yeck Bro. and Creative Impressions.
Nice feedback!
Natalynne Baker, supportive services coordinator for the Biltmore Towers, wrote to say she’s received a lot of feedback from the Make a Difference column.
Not only had she received private donations food, blankets and men’s clothing, she’d also met with someone from a local company who expressed interest in refurnishing the community room with new tables and chairs.
“The residents have expressed that they never knew the community cared about them,” says Baker. “It has been wonderful and we thank you for the chance to educate people about the treasure off Main Street.”
One of the groups who responded was the Dayton Duplicate Bridge Club.
“At two of the games I passed your article around with a request for members to donate some of the articles,” writes Marjorie Marcellus, a club member who had already delivered a large supply of items to Biltmore residents. “Their response was fantastic — and, we intend to continue donating items every two or three months.”
It’s a great idea for other organizations and clubs that want to do something positive in the community. Our readers are definitely Making a Difference!
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