Santa Arrives Early for Public Guardian Clients

PA/PG Assistant Director Terrance Corrigan manages the gift project.

County Public Administrator/Public Guardian (PA/PG) staff members will become Santa’s elves for the holidays, delivering presents to their clients

For the past month, PA/PG has been collecting blankets, sweaters, slippers, pajamas, toiletries, gift cards and other presents to give to clients, generally older, frail, and vulnerable adults who are at risk or have been a victim of abuse or neglect.

This week, about 20 PA/PG employees began delivering the donated presents to about 150 clients in nursing homes who would otherwise not receive any gifts this holiday. The employees will make the daily visits through December 23.

“We bring the presents and spend time with them during the holidays because they have no relatives visit them,” said Terrance Corrigan, Assistant Public Administrator/Public Guardian, who manages the project. “It makes us feel good to be able to do this.”

The Public Guardian’s Office serves as the legally appointed guardian or conservator for people the Court finds unable to take care of themselves or their assets.

Three years ago, PA/PG began collecting gifts for clients, and the department always ends up with excess items thanks to the generosity of people like Eunice Horn and her husband, who buy the presents themselves or collect them throughout the year from church members at the Tierrasanta Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  

This year, Mrs. Horn prepared 58 bags with toiletries and snacks for men and women.

“It really makes her happy,” said Corrigan, who visits two to three clients each day. “We try to give a gift to everybody. It’s a good project. We all feel good about it.”