How We’re Sharing the Joy of the Season with our Aging Adults!
The Center is more than just the leading services provider for older adults in Kendall County: we are a community.
Because of our partners, donors, volunteers, and friends, we are proud to serve Kendall County’s aging adults by reducing their isolation, preventing and addressing food insecurity, and connecting them with a vibrant, active community that enhances their quality of life. We are committed to building connections, renewing purpose, and empowering the independence of older people so that they can age well in their own homes, knowing that they are valued and a vital part of our community.
Through our Meals on Wheels service, for example, we deliver to our homebound clients a sense of community, as well as hot, nutritious meals, on a daily basis. Many of these older adults live in rural areas, without family members nearby, so they look forward to the friendship and connection each delivery brings. We take the time to build relationships with each of these clients because their health and well-being is our priority.
Zelda, 93, is one of our Meals on Wheels delivery drivers during the winter months, and she is also a regular volunteer at Kronkosky Place throughout the year. She enjoys greeting everyone she meets, listening to their stories, and seeing them smile.
“As an ambassador, I meet all the new people, take them through the building, and give them information about programs like bridge or fitness classes or Bible study. I answer all their questions or pretend like I can. If I don’t know something though, I’ll say, ‘I can find out.” – Zelda
Zelda credits The Center with saving her life while going through a really tough time earlier this year. After she broke her shoulder in January, she had to complete three months of rehab in a facility away from Boerne. During that time, 34 people from The Center made over 80 visits, and each time brought her fresh fruit, cards, and flowers.
“That saved my life, that actually saved my life,” she says. “That’s what we have here at The Center: family and friends.”
As we gear up for the holiday season, we’re reminded we have so much to be thankful for as our entire community turns out to help us make this a merry and bright time of year for our aging community. Though the holidays can sometimes exacerbate the loneliness that older adults may feel, volunteers and family members from all over the nation help us ensure that every person older than 55 is included in the seasonal festivities.
Judges from different Kendall County precincts came together to begin the annual “Silver Santa” project—an angel tree—to surprise our homebound clients in need with gifts and holiday cheer. Volunteers from the Boerne Garden Club will also accompany our longtime Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver locally grown poinsettias to our clients—beautiful pops of color that brighten every home.
At our Christmas Shop, older people can buy presents for their loved ones (or themselves!) and even find decorations for their homes. The shop is staffed by friendly volunteers who dress up like elves and always light up the room with our clients’ smiles.
During the holiday season, we also serve special meals to our homebound clients and congregate diners—turkey, gravy, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Sometimes, entire families will come in for a visit, just to help us serve these delicious meals to our clients and their families. And our annual Christmas party is one of the best events of the season because Santa always drops in for a visit!
So many people in our community volunteer their time and do everything they can to share the joy of the season with our clients, that everyone feels the impact of their kindness and generosity.
“I love the place, I live for the place, and it’s my 8 o’clock every day of the week,” says Zelda. “We’re so appreciative of donors and volunteers, the people who make this a special place, especially during the holidays. I am proud to show people around. I am proud of The Center.”
Like Zelda, we are proud of our community and grateful for your support. Your generosity is how we’re able to make the holiday season a special time of year for our clients.
As our population ages, people 65 and older will represent 22 percent of the American population, compared with 17 percent in 2022. However, with your help, we are not only meeting the increased need in our community for services like Meals on Wheels, we are enriching the lives of the aging community in Kendall County by reducing their isolation and empowering their independence.
Please consider supporting our mission by making a gift to The Center today!