City and county officials have thrown their support behind a program to help make Christmas brighter for local senior citizens.
Paige Kennedy of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District spoke with the Marion County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, and Mayor Justin McKenzie discussed the program with the Columbia Board of Aldermen Tuesday night.
“What we would like to do, with the holidays coming up, is put some collection boxes at different places in the county and collect items like pajamas, socks, slippers, sugar-free candy and things that our seniors typically ask for for Christmas,” she said.
Collections will take place through mid-November, according to Kennedy.
“We would then wrap them up and then when our case managers go to their December visits, they would take them to the people. All I would ask of you is to endorse or support it. Secondly, I’d like for you to help me determine some places to put collection boxes. In Jefferson Davis County we have them at the library. If you can think of a good spot, we would appreciate it.”
Kennedy said the program had been successful in the past.
“I did it last year in another county, and it was very successful,” she said. “What I’ll do is I’ll finish up fliers and take them to different places in the county. I’d love for you to encourage folks to participate.”
Board President Calvin Newsom suggested placing one of the collection boxes at the Marion County Courthouse and the Columbia-Marion County Public Library. The containers will be wrapped boxes placed at various locations.
Board members supported the efforts and encouraged it.
Later that day, during the Columbia Board of Aldermen meeting, McKenzie spoke about the efforts.
“The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District has asked us to partner with them for ‘Snuggles for Seniors,’” he said. “This is for donations for senior citizens in the Columbia and Marion County. They would brand it that it is supported by the Marion County Board of Supervisors and the City of Columbia. They have asked us to be a drop-off location at City Hall. The items collected will be wrapped by SMPDD and delivered to citizens. We’ll partner with them to help them push this initiative.”
Drop-off sites will soon be available at several locations. A list of sites has not been completed.
