LUBBOCK, Texas — This holiday season, Lubbock Meals on Wheels is ensuring no senior is left behind with their annual Secret Santa program. This year, more than 840 seniors have been adopted, creating an urgent need for volunteers to wrap, pack and deliver gifts.
“Our office is going to look like Santa Claus threw up in it,” said Mary Gerlach, assistant director of Lubbock Meals on Wheels. “We have stuff everywhere by the time this is over with.”
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The program aims to provide special gift bags to seniors, many of whom lack family support, especially during challenging economic times. Volunteers are encouraged to help make the gifts memorable by donating items or helping assemble the packages.
“We try to make really nice gift bags for the clients,” said Gerlach. “We need people to help pack those up and fluff them up a bit. We also need people to donate extra items like hygiene products, such as nail files, shampoo, and conditioner, to make them even more special.”