Maybe it’s just a little early for people to be thinking about Christmas.
But, with towns all decked out for the holidays and Christmas parades underway, thoughts should be turning to the season for giving.
Jeanette Dawkins, activities director at Troy Health and Rehabilitation Center, said, usually, by Dec.  1 all of the residents in TH&R’s Adopt-a-Grandparent program have been adopted. But not this year.
“The Adopt-a-Grandparent program has always been strongly supported by the community,” Dawkins said. “But things are slow this year. We still have 35 residents who have not been adopted. These are residents who don’t have family nearby or no family at all. Of course, TH&R will make certain that Santa Claus comes to them, too. But it would be nice for them to get several things on their wish lists.”
Dawkins said the wish lists include reasonably price items like socks, slippers, fleece blankets and wraps, soaps, lotions and toothpaste.
“There are many opportunities for giving during the Christmas season and, every year, I see how much it means to our residents to be remembered with a few small gifts,” Dawkins said. “Christmas is a special time and the residents in our Adopt-a-Grandparent program are special people who appreciate being remembered.”
Adopting a grandparent at Troy Health and Rehab is as simple as picking up the phone.
“All you have to do is call 334-566-0880 and say you would like to adopt a grandparent,” Dawkins said. “If you wish, you can specify a grandfather or grandmother. We will give you a resident’s room number and his or her wish list and you can choose one or as many items on the list as you would like.”
The gifts should be brought to the TH&R front office tagged with the resident’s room number before Dec. 12. Santa Claus will visit TH&R on Dec. 19 and will deliver the gifts to the individual residents.
For more information or to adopt a grandparent, call Dawkins at 566-0880.