The Atrium at Cardinal Drive Launches 12th Annual Benefit Drive

AGAWAM — The 12th annual “Stockings for Seniors” benefit drive is underway at the Atrium at Cardinal Drive.

By donating small stocking stuffers to be included in holiday bags, local citizens and organizations can provide needy seniors with help and happiness. Small items can be dropped off at the Atrium, located at 153 Cardinal Dr. in Agawam. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The Atrium has set a goal to deliver 100 stockings to local councils on aging and Meals on Wheels programs, who in turn will deliver the stockings to needy seniors in local communities.

Donors can contribute items of any quantity; however, individuals or organizations interested in donating quantities of more than 50 items will be included in an acknowledgement letter inserted into each holiday bag. Call Allison Baker, director of community relations at the Atrium, at (781) 530-7850 if you would like to sponsor a large-quantity item so the Atrium can plan accordingly with other donors.

Recommended large-quantity items include local grocery-store or pharmacy gift cards, eyeglass-repair kits, lens cleaners and lens wipes, light-up magnifying glasses, flashlights, batteries, nightlights, nail clippers, nail-file boards, pocket tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotion, stationery and notecards, greeting-card assortments, stamps, pot holders, candy, lottery tickets, sugar-free items for diabetics, and Sudoku, crossword, and word-search puzzle books. There is no minimum or maximum limit on monetary value or what can be included.

“Any and all donations are appreciated,” Baker said. “There are several programs in the area to help support children and families in need during the holiday season, but often our seniors are forgotten. Over the past 11 years, we have distributed over 1,900 stockings. Especially during this challenging year, we want to be sure we are still able to spread holiday cheer to seniors who may be isolated in their homes.”