Spreading a second round of sunshine to Westlake seniors

Jodi Rodriguez holds two of the care packages she and other staffers at the Westlake Community Services Department delivered to 100 local seniors.

The incredibly positive response from recipients of the “100 Bags of Sunshine” initiative in March inspired the Westlake Department for Senior and Community Services to launch a second round with the help of donations from many new sponsors.

As with the first event, staff worked to identify 100 Westlake seniors that could benefit from a spirit lift during this challenging time.

Each bag included homemade cookies, greeting cards, heart-shaped stress balls, multiple puzzle books, adult coloring books, colored pencils, granola snacks, miscellaneous chocolates, pens, pill containers, tea bags and (of course) toilet paper. This time, the note that came with the toilet paper rolls read “You’ve been Tea-p’d!”

One volunteer took on the task of assembling the bags, which were then delivered by staffers who soon found themselves on the receiving end of many glowing compliments from recipients.

Bev told one staffer: “A lot of people say they care. You show it in so many ways that I really know you mean it.”

Barbara initially wanted to have her care package sent to someone else in need. But then she saw the treats inside and said, “Wait a minute, I will take that!”

Some recipients were so inspired by the kind gesture that they decided to pay it forward.

Wayne and Evelyn decided to make a large donation to the Westlake Food Pantry upon receiving their pleasant surprise delivery.

The Sebestas were thrilled that the staffers are thinking of them and said they particularly appreciated the check-in phone call they received last week.

Robert Rozboril

I handle Public Relations matters and website content for the City of Westlake.

Read More on Community Service
Volume 12, Issue 10, Posted 10:42 AM, 05.19.2020