Club Teens Spread Holiday Cheer To Isolated Seniors

Just in time for the Christmas holidays, local teens–all members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast’s teen leadership program, the Keystone Club–delivered holiday gifts requested by seniors who live at Marian Extended Care Long Term Care Facility in Santa Maria.  For the second year in a row, these teens wanted to give back to the community and wanted to help elders who might not have local family to treat them to a gift this holiday season.  Working with Extended Care staff, the teens along Boys & Girls Club staff, identified residents and what their holiday gift wishes were.  The teens spent most of November and December encouraging the community to donate to their gift drive, raising funds to purchase gifts, collecting gifts, and hand writing thoughtful notes and pictures to the gift recipients.  In total, 47 gifts were delivered which is 17 more than the number of gifts donated in 2024.  

Mary Bolton, Program Coordinator for Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast, oversaw this project and worked directly with the Keystone Members.  “The enthusiasm that our Keystone Members showed in wrapping and distributing was heartwarming. It was our second year partnering with  Marian Extended Care, and many of our kids were new to this project this year. They enjoyed giving the gifts to the residents, and having small conversations as they did so,”  Ms. Bolton shared.

For more information about the Teen Program, the Keystone Club or any of the other programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast, contact Anna Libbon, Chief Program Officer at [email protected] or call (805) 922-7163.