Become a Light of Hope this holiday season

The Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging connects vulnerable adults with information and social and health services that help them remain in their homes. They also support people who provide informal caregiving assistance to family members or friends. Most clients have very modest means combined with health conditions that limit their ability to care for themselves. Every year, LMTAAA organizes the Light of Hope program, where financial donations help fulfill client wishes, which would otherwise go unmet.

This year the agency will be doing things a little bit differently. It's purchasing gift cards so all participating clients will have the ability to buy the holiday wish items of their choice. All financial donations will be pooled and used to purchase gift cards of the same amount, meaning the more raised, the bigger the impact on participating client's lives this holiday season.

Donations are tax deductible and will be accepted through Tuesday, Dec. 5. All donations received past Dec. 5 will go toward helping clients manage unexpected personal expenses during the rest of the year.

For more information, or to donate via PayPal, credit or debit card, please visit our website: http://www.LMTAAA.org/LOH. Send donations by mail to LMTAAA's Olympia office (2404 Heritage Ct SW Olympia, WA 98502 ATTN Light of Hope). For check donations, please include Light of Hope in the memo.

Note that the Shelton office cannot accept mail or packages at this time. Donations can be dropped off in person though at the Shelton office (2008 Olympic Hwy N Shelton, WA 98584) every Tuesday through Dec. 5 from the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment. If you need to make an appointment or have questions, please call 360-664-3162 ext. 251.

Your generosity is helping bring joy this holiday season to 23 Mason County residents our case management and family caregiver support workers have spotlighted for your consideration. Thank you for being a Light of Hope!

■ This client is in her late 60s and lives alone after the recent passing of her best friend and roommate, whom she misses very much. She finds comfort knowing that "he is at peace and lives in a much better place now." She plans to celebrate his life with her friends and family. With her holiday gift card, she will purchase a holiday meal and treat herself to the beauty/nail salon.

■ This client is in her late 80s and lives alone in a small apartment. She misses her spouse who is in his late 90s and lives at a local health and rehab. She visits him weekly and enjoys eating lunch with him at the facility. She is an avid gardener and has a large garden window where she cultivates Christmas cactus and other succulents. She enjoys seeing which of her plants blooms the earliest every spring and takes a "selfie picture" with her plants to show her husband when she visits. With her holiday gift card, she will purchase gardening supplies, planting soil, pots, and a book on planting indoor herbs and spices.

■ This client is in his early 70s and lives alone on a limited and fixed income. He will use his gift card to purchase a used laptop computer.

■ This client is in her early 80s and lives with her husband on a limited and fixed income. She has noticed a decline in doing things she enjoys over the past few months due to memory and health issues. She will enjoy buying some comfortable clothing with her holiday gift card.

■ This client is in her early 70s and lives alone in an apartment complex. She is very community oriented and enjoys lending a hand to her neighbors, seeking out ways to assist her neighbors with grocery pickup and mail pickup. She says she sees these as opportunities to check on their welfare and needs. With her holiday gift card, she will purchase new bedding and linens, toiletries, clothing and a holiday meal.

■ This client is in his early 90s and lives with his spouse in a rural area of Mason County. They both enjoy raising crops, free range chickens, and watching the deer and birds that wander onto their property. They have several grandchildren who visit and enjoy helping out. Recently, this client had to replace their septic tank, a purchase that cost a "small fortune." This client said that he is "blessed" to have neighbors and family that are so helpful and kind. With his holiday gift card, he will purchase a holiday meal to share with them.

■ This client is in her early 80s and lives with her spouse in a rural area of Mason County. They used to own an adult family home and she enjoyed providing engaging activities, like crocheting, sewing, and a book club. She especially enjoyed their weekly excursions to a community event or shopping spree. This client will use her gift card to treat herself to the beauty salon for a haircut and pedicure.

■ This client is a female in her late 50s who loves to cook and spend time with her family. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase new pants, shirts, and jackets, as well as a large nonstick pan for cooking. She may also use part of it for a holiday meal.

■ This client is in his 60s and lives alone. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and continues to have a sweet and positive attitude. He enjoys drawing and would use his holiday gift card to purchase art supplies and a nice Christmas dinner.

■ This client is in her 80s and is bedbound. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some new sheets, blankets, warm socks and sweatshirts.

■ This client is in his 60s and lives alone in a very small trailer that does not have a shower. He has severe agoraphobia that makes it difficult for him to go to the shower building on the property where he lives. His income is limited, and he will use his holiday gift card to buy bath wipes and shampoo caps to stay clean.

■ This client is in her late 60s and lives alone. One of her dogs was recently attacked and killed by another dog. She could really use some holiday cheer. She has a lot of food allergies, so food banks often do not have items that she can eat. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some groceries.

■ This client is in his 60s and is bedbound. Despite his extensive medical issues, he remains positive and loves interacting with his grandchildren. Family is everything to him, and he will use his holiday gift card to provide a holiday meal for them.

■ This client is a woman in her early 50s whose disabilities and lack of community/family support makes it hard to meet her basic needs. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase grab bars and a raised toilet seat to make use of her bathroom easier, something most of us take for granted. If she were to pick a gift to reflect a want rather than a need, she would use her holiday gift card to purchase a foot massager or food. As you can see, she struggles to even come up with a want as her unmet needs take precedence. She's so sweet, appreciative, and kind, the holiday gift card purchased with your donation will certainly brighten up her holidays.

■ This client is a woman in her 50s who is bed-bound and lives with her son and grandkids. She often feels isolated due to mobility issues and was so delighted when she found out she was being considered for this program. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some new pajamas and nice thick warm thermal socks.

■ This client is a woman in her late 70s who lives with her husband. Client has physical limitations that make it difficult for her to get dressed without assistance. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase new clothing that will allow her to dress independently.

■ This client is a woman in her early 50's who lives alone and has a very limited income. She is looking for employment in an office setting and needs new clothing for job interviews. She will use her holiday gift card to update her work attire.

■ This client is in his late 50s and lives alone with no family support on an extremely limited income. He has an elderly service dog, and a younger one in training. He enjoys their company and assistance. His food stamps often run out before the end of the month, and he must eat inexpensive foods that are not good for his current medical condition. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase food to supplement is food stamps allotment.

■ This client is in her 30s and lives with family who love arts and crafts, especially beading and painting. These activities bring so much joy into her life. She will use her holiday gift card for art and craft supplies.

■ This client is a woman in her 50s who lives with chronic pain. Nothing makes her happier than communicating with her grandchildren, including writing letters to them. She also loves watching movies. She will use her holiday gift card for movies and to purchase stationery.

■ This client is an optimistic woman in her 70s who values her family, pets, and religion. She loves to cook and will use her holiday gift card to purchase pots and pans to prepare meals for loved ones, and to purchase pet supplies.

■ This client is in her 60s and adores her cats, reading and playing games. She will use her holiday gift card to obtain books, games, and supplies for her pets.

■ This client is a man in his 40s who lives with his dogs. His dogs bring joy into his life and help him feel better. He also enjoys getting lost in a video game. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase pet supplies and/or a video game.