Elderly and Disabled Clients Need Your Help

Terrance Corrigan poses with some of last year's donations.

You can help the Public Guardian’s Office bring holiday cheer to clients who wouldn’t otherwise receive gifts.

“Our clients have no friends or family to spend time with during the holiday season,” said Terrance Corrigan, Assistant Public Administrator/Public Guardian, who manages the holiday gift drive. “It’s a good time of year to go out and present them with a small gift for the holiday.”

The recipients are generally older, frail, and vulnerable adults who are at risk or have been victims of abuse or neglect. They live in nursing homes, board and cares and independent living facilities in the county.

The following new and unwrapped items are needed:

• sweaters and hooded sweatshirts (all sizes)
• slippers (larger sizes and with rubber bottoms)
• pajamas (all sizes)
• toiletries
• gift cards (Target or Walmart or other department store)
• large print books (new or used)

Donations may be dropped off at 5201-A Ruffin Rd. San Diego from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m through December 11.

In addition to donations from County employees, the Public Guardian’s Office receives a generous donation from Eunice and Ed Horn and the members of the Tierrasanta Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The Horns collect items throughout the year to provide 100 bags with toiletries and snacks.

“It’s a real sacrifice that she and her husband make,” Corrigan added. “We really appreciate it.”

All of the donations will be delivered to about 150 clients in the week of Dec. 17. For more information about the gift collection, call (858) 694-3500.