Baskets of Goodwill

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the senior citizens of Putnam County, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who participated in our annual Thanksgiving Basket drive.

Our Office for the Aging Outreach Team, as well as our case managers, delivered over 130+ Thanksgiving baskets filled with canned and dried foods to seniors who needed a social lift or were facing financial hardships due to the economic situation. Due to the difficult financial economy, the referrals for baskets were tremendous, so much so that at the last minute, we had to elicit the help of our Putnam County colleagues for assistance.

This massive effort was due to the generosity of local groups such as students from Green Chimneys and George Fisher Middle School, many neighborhood Girl and Boy Scouts Troups, as well as Putnam County employees. Food was collected, brought to our office, divided into hearty baskets and then distributed. It was truly a collaborative effort!

I must also commend and thank the staff at the Office for the Aging for coordinating this drive, as we all worked together from van drivers, to kitchen staff and site managers, and every Outreach worker and case manager to deliver these much needed baskets.
William Huestis
Executive Director
PUTNAM COUNTY OFFIcE
FOR THE AGING