Peninsula Shepherd Center makes holiday porch visits for area seniors – The Peninsula Shepherd Center is taking Christmas giving one step further by…

Having fun at the Peninsula Shepherd Center bingo party in December are Liz Waddell, Laura Mundy, Lee Sharp, Chris Gridley, Jim Donahoe, Roger, Betty Nelson, Janet Bernhardt, Edie Cook, and Lupe Gutierrez. COURTESY PHOTO

Peninsula Shepherd Center member Gretta Upp visits with volunteer Kimberly Platt. COURTESY PHOTO

The Peninsula Shepherd Center is taking Christmas giving one step further by making porch visits directly delivering care packages to isolated area seniors.

A lot of what we do is provide transportation services, food delivery, and social opportunities for seniors right here in our community, said Peninsula Shepherd Center executive director Lisa Faulk. The Senior Community Foundation has awarded grants to a number of senior centers in the county, and Shepherd was lucky enough to be one of them. What were doing is we have a monthly porch visit program. What that means is we visit all our members on a monthly basis and bring them some sort of package especially for that month.

For example, Faulk said senior recipients in February may get valentines, roses, or chocolates. On St. Patricks Day, they might get lottery tickets or succulent plants.

We bring crossword books and puzzles, added Faulk. Its a combination of functional and fun items. Weve done this throughout COVID.

Other senior holiday gifts bought with donated monies include blankets embroidered with the Peninsula Shepherd Center logo and name and poinsettia plants.

We also have in the gift pack a beautifully decorated snowflake cookie, added Faulk.

The mission of Peninsula Shepherd Center at 1475 Catalina Blvd. in Point Loma is to keep older adults active, independent, and in their own homes. Peninsula Shepherd Center provides transportation services, social activities in their senior lounge, and opportunities to connect with other older adults through events held throughout the Peninsula Communities.

For the second year, the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is bringing together the largest collective effort to support seniors during the holidays, including the Peninsula Shepherd Center. Peninsula Shepherd Center is 1 of 26 senior centers and other organizations creating memorable holiday events from Thanksgiving through New Years for 4,000 San Diego area seniors.

Faulk said Peninsula Shepherd Center will have about 15 volunteers hand-delivering Christmas gift packages to members in the 92106, 92107, and 92110 ZIP codes.

Its really important because, for a lot of these folks, this is the highlight of their month, she noted adding, We call them every week to stay in very close touch and to make sure all their needs are covered. This next year, what were trying to do is expand our resources so that we can connect our members to County and City services that we dont provide. We want to be the connection resource to help folks.

The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is still seeking donations to help more seniors during the holidays and throughout the year. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar through Dec. 31 atsdscf.org/givingtuesday. Peninsula Shepherd Center membership is available to all adults over 65 living in the 92106, 92107, and the Midway District of 92110. Contact Peninsula Shepherd Center at 619-223-1640 or visit sdpsc.org for more information.

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Peninsula Shepherd Center makes holiday porch visits for area seniors - The Peninsula Shepherd Center is taking Christmas giving one step further by...