A group of memory care residents in Glenview is preparing care packages for local seniors in need and is seeking donation items from the community.
Residents at Emerald Place, an Anthem memory care facility, have already made and distributed 12 packages and are looking to make more throughout the holiday season and potentially beyond.
“Many of our residents are lifelong volunteers committed to making their community a better place to live,” said Kim Richert, community relations director at Emerald Place. “They continue to want to help others, and that’s the focus of the Seniors Serving Seniors program.”
The Seniors Serving Seniors program is new, according to Richert, and they hope to make it an ongoing program with other volunteer work and outreach opportunities throughout the year.
“Within Emerald Place, we have resident ambassadors who help new residents feel welcome and engaged,” she said in an email. “Seniors to Seniors helps them take their service outside the community.”
They’re working with the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce, home health companies and nearby churches to identify people to receive the packages, Richert said.
The group is asking the community for donations so they can create more care packages, including items such as blankets, books, coffee mugs, water bottles, hats, mittens, store-bought snacks, letters and cards.
Emerald Place is located at 1879 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. Donations can be dropped off in a box outside the building’s community entrance through December. The items will be held in a safe place inside and will be sanitized, Richert said.
The memory care facility serves residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, according to its website. Richert said helping others makes the residents happier and healthier and “gives them purpose.”
“The more the residents give, the better they feel, so this is a great way to help them thrive,” Richert said.
kedquist@chicagotribune.com
Twitter: @kaitlinedquist
