Ramona Senior Center wasn’t able to hold its annual Christmas party this year, due to COVID-19. Instead, they had a drive-through celebration.
On Dec. 23, 104 seniors came in their cars, stopping at several stations to get holiday goodies — a poinsettia, a $20 gift card for the grocery store, a tin of cookies, a homemade placemat, a personalized Christmas card from Senior Center staff, and a lunch of ham, sweet potatoes and vegetables with apple pie for dessert.
“It was absolutely amazing,” said center executive director Lora Cicalo, who was at the event greeting the seniors and handing out lunches. “I saw so many smiles and tears of joy and the appreciation was incredible.”
The drive-through party was made possible by a $3,000 holiday grant from the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation.
The grants are tailored to support centers and nonprofit agencies creating holiday-themed events for older people who are isolated and expected to be apart from family and loved ones this holiday season, officials said. The grants helped fund a variety of holiday activities including drive-through parties, meal and gift deliveries, and virtual gatherings.
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