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EAGLE LAKE – One charitable foundation has taken it upon themselves to look after the county’s elderly as the Restoring Love, Faith and Hope Back to our Elderly ministry has led a campaign of altruism for senior citizen communities in the area. The most recent community to benefit was the Arbor Hills Rehabilitation Center as the ministry led the location’s first-ever Adopt-A-Grandparent event on Sept. 11.
The concept behind Adopt-A-Grandparent is simple: as people age and their loved ones find it more difficult to make time for visits due to availability or distance, other volunteers can step in and provide the necessary company for the elderly who may not have anyone else to count on. The volunteers meet the seniors during the event until they find an elderly person that they would like to contribute their time and charity towards.
Once the two parties agree, the adopted grandparent and the adoptee each sign a certificate that seals the bond between each other as well as serving as a reminder to each of the promise that was made. Adopters can sign up for a full year for their adoption, or they can simply just partake in the fall and winter holiday season. Many adopters stay in touch with their adopted grandparents well after their vowed time has passed.
Volunteers who adopt a grandparent are called upon for just a few things as they help boost the spirits of the elderly people inside of these senior communities. One of their promises is to provide company and conversation to their adopted grandparent. Many elderly may have feelings of loneliness inside of these communities and desire a friendly companionship from those who have built a connection with them. Occasional visits to the senior home are a common form of charity for those who have adopted a grandparent.
Adopters are also asked to provide gifts to their adopted grandparents for each of the fall and winter holidays. Gifts like holiday cards and clothes are simple expressions of appreciation and a reminder to the elders that they still have someone caring for them over the holidays.
Outside of the holiday season, adopters are expected to help their adopted grandparents whenever they can and to provide what the senior needs to the best of their ability.
The event was run entirely by volunteers and coordinated by long-time volunteer and pioneer, Bobbie Jo Conteras. Several companies donated to the cause as well, with Country Bakery and Simple Simon’s pizza supplying treats and food to the event. Frito Lay also donated some chips, sandwiches, prizes and many more snacks as a corporate charity addition. Several locals also contributed some goodies for the eventgoers to enjoy as Cynthia Luna made donuts, Vida Teague made cakes and April Torres Henderson brought bundt cakes. Brenda Hull donated a cheese dip while Kelly Almanza donated pistachio pudding. Others helped out with the decorations as Emily Torres made corsages for the seniors to wear, Luisa Torres made the signs for the event, Flower Carter donated balloons and Rocio Lugo-Esquivel printed the aprons for the volunteers.
Ministry leader Bobbie Jo Contreras has been a leading part of this charity work. After six years of providing this service to senior homes across the county, she has become a wellknown figure amongst the many seniors she has adopted throughout her time.
As the ministry continues to grow, Contreras hopes that more contributions and adopters will join the many charitable causes that they partake in throughout the year.
