Tis the season of giving and, as it turns out, giving back. The Stand By Me Mentoring Alliance takes giving back seriously, such that community service is an integral component of their program. Service projects give the mentees a way to connect with the community while giving them the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.
This year, the mentor facilitators at each of the public schools led the way as mentors and their mentees created fleece blankets, scarves and pillows for each and every resident at Sonoma’s Golden Living Center. Once complete, the presents were gaily wrapped and placed under the tree at the Golden Living Center so that, on Christmas day, all 83 residents will have a gift to open. Upon delivering the gifts, the mentors, mentees and Golden Living residents and staff enjoyed a holiday reception complete with Christmas carols and holiday cheer.
Lino Fernandez is the activity director at the Golden Living Center and he said the residents loved the holiday visit from the mentees and mentors and are very excited about opening their gifts on Christmas morning. “So many of the residents don’t receive gifts or see family members during the holidays that this is a really special treat.”
The tradition started last year when the mentor center at Prestwood School, under the direction of Laurel Mohring, made and delivered 15 handknit scarves to the center. Upon delivering their gifts, they were dismayed to find out that there were, in fact, 85 residents who were in need of holiday cheer. This year, Tina Baldry, program and art director for the Mentoring Alliance, rallied the troops at all the centers to create something handmade for each resident.
“In the spirit of giving back, we asked all of our mentor centers to create gifts this year that bring warmth and comfort to the elderly,” said Tina Baldry. “This has been an incredible experience for both our organization and the residents at Golden Living.”
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