Project JOY: Del Mar Garden Club and Del Mar Community Connections bring holiday cheer to seniors

On Dec. 17 and Dec.18 the Del Mar Garden Club (DMGC) and Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) once again paired up for Project JOY to bring extra holiday cheer to older adults who are home-bound, recovering from illness or injury, or grieving. Funded in partnership by the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation’s No Senior Alone For the Holidays program, this annual event is a joyful home delivery of love from the community to those who most need it, a news release stated.

This year, the gifts delivered to 80 households included a hand-sewn microwavable and fragrant heat pack. There were also some sweet treats — a chocolate bar and gourmet shortbread cookies. Describing the planning process, DMGC volunteer Gale Bakker said in the news release: “Project JOY leader Nancy Kane and I started talking about the gift in late summer. We ordered flax seed and lavender for the 80 neck warmers in bulk and shopped for chocolates and other goodies. Since Nancy is a professional quilter, coming up with the design was quite easy for her. We recruited our friends from the Del Mar Garden Club and got to work. Nancy and I both agree receiving a homemade gift at the holidays is a treasure. The many people that receive services from DMCC are always so grateful. It’s a win win!”

The mission of the Del Mar Garden Club is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and to contribute to the beauty of Del Mar. Those interested can learn more at www.delmargardenclub.org.

The mission of Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) is to support and serve the older adults of Del Mar as they age independently at home. DMCC helps seniors live active, vibrant lives by providing transportation, education, and social activities. Those interested can learn more at www.dmcc.cc.

The mission of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is to increase awareness and action toward issues impacting seniors and to increase philanthropy to senior-focused organizations. Those interested can learn more at www.sdscf.org.