As we approach the holiday season, many people start to think about how they can help those less fortunate. While we should be in this giving spirit year-round (for example, homeless people are just as hungry and homeless in July as they are in December), the support is certainly appreciated by the nonprofits and the people they serve.

If you are looking for a great way to serve some of the most vulnerable in our population, consider helping out ElderHelp, and becoming one of their ‘angels’.

See the message below from ElderHelp San Diego:

You are invited to become a 2009 ElderHelp Holiday Angel. The Holiday Angels Program provides gifts to the elderly at the holidays. Last year over 350 baskets and gifts were created and delivered to brighten the lives of frail, isolated and homebound seniors throughout San Diego!

The Holiday Angels Program began in 1985 with a group of school children who prepared gift baskets to assure that seniors living alone or without families would receive a gift during the holidays. Over the past 20+ years, the program has evolved into a collaborative effort with numerous individuals and organizations considered “Holiday Angels.”

Many San Diego seniors struggle all year long with the basic necessities we often take for granted. They battle with the decision to refill their medications or purchase groceries – to pay the utility bill or purchase a bus pass to get to medical appointments. The Holiday Angels program strives to make the holidays a little easier for our seniors who have few resources.

There are many ways to help spread the holiday cheer:

-Create a personalized gift basket for a senior, based on their own holiday wish list.
Make a donation of gift cards to help seniors purchase the items they are most in need of.
-Donate small gifts for 100 gift bags distributed at an annual Rotary Club Holiday luncheon for seniors.
-Make a cash donation to help our seniors throughout the year.

We are excited to see this program into its 24th year! We hope you will consider becoming a Holiday Angel this season and experience the joy of giving to those in need.

To become a Holiday Angel, please contact Cynthia Beisiegel at 619-284-9281 ext. 14 or via e-mail at cbeisiegel@elderhelpofsandiego.org before November 23, 2009.