Valley Elks assemble baskets for seniors

Staff Reports

Minden-Douglas Elks Lodge members, wives and friends gathered at the lodge on Saturday to assemble Christmas baskets for selected senior citizens. The baskets were delivered on Saturday. Many of the 26 people assembling the baskets might be considered senior citizens themselves.

"We really don't try to compete with other community organizations in putting together baskets generally limited to those items for making meals on Christmas Day," Project Chairman Bob Allgeier said of the Elk baskets. "When we initially started doing this we obtained recommendation from Douglas County Social Services and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and delivered limited item baskets to those persons."

Allgeier said the group wanted to have a great impact on a few people.

"We have limited resources and frankly, would prefer to make a greater impact on the lives of a few citizens who can really use the help for more than a short time," he said. "After some thought, we contacted Douglas County Senior Services and worked out a referral program with them. The program has been successful now for several years. Those recommended are screened and personally contacted several days before we make up the baskets."

The Elks are able to customize the baskets for the people they make them for.

"The items we include are items based on our knowledge and suggestions of need made by those involved in working with senior citizens," he said, "They include a wide range of items ranging from paper products, fresh foods and canned foods, some meat products and items used for personal hygiene. We consider our donations as a long term care package, enough materials to help out for several weeks or even months. A no strings attached cash donation has been included these past few years as some of our members donate money specifically for that purpose."

This year the Carson Valley Quilt Guild donated lap robes to include with the baskets, Allgeier said.

"This year, another community organization, the Carson Valley Quilt Guild, donated beautiful hand quilted lap robes for distribution to our basket recipients. Unfortunately, some of those receiving baskets have major disabilities. The delivering teams, if asked, may assist in unpacking the baskets and putting items into proper storage."

According to Allgeier, his wife Donna and co-chairs Dick Valentine and Dorothy Tracker, are involved in the major shopping expedition for included items. Before the basket assemblers begin their task, the purchased and donated items are counted and arranged to facilitate the basket assembly.

"The basket assembly is a busy, hustle and bustle affair amid much noise and happy voices," Allgeier said.