TARCOG’s ‘Winter Wishes’ remembers seniors at Christmas

HUNTSVILLE – The TARCOG office is starting to look like Santa’s Workshop as sponsors start to drop off donated gifts for aging and disabled clients for the annual “Winter Wishes” campaign.

Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments or TARCOG sponsors Winter Wishes to confirm that senior citizens are not forgotten during the Christmas season.

The staff with TARCOG’s Area Agency on Aging will act as holiday elves by partnering with local entities to sponsor recipients. Sponsors range from individuals, churches, businesses and civic groups.

Melissa Brinkley, Medicaid Waiver Program Manager, said all seniors aged 60 and older have been adopted. However, about 30 individuals in need remain on the list from disabled programs. Those individuals’ ages range from infants to 59 years old.

“We’re so appreciative of everyone in our region who graciously gives of their time and resources to help us make sure our clients have a bright spot during the holiday season,” Brinkley said.

“We ask that sponsors adopt a participant and purchase the gifts, but we always have some sponsors who make monetary or gift card donations that are used for any participants not adopted at the end of the campaign,” Brinkley said.

Starting in September to prepare for the campaign, TARCOG Case Managers gathered wish lists for clients who have significant needs. In October, Winter Wishes Coordinator Amber Millimaki disbursed the wishes to sponsors. New sponsors were welcomed through Oct. 31.

The preparations continued in November as sponsors start to deliver gifts to TARCOG’s office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. In December, TARCOG staff members will finalize the project by delivering Christmas gifts to senior citizens, Millimaki said.

“Right now, all of the seniors aged 60 and older have been adopted. However, we still have about 50 on the list from our disabled programs who have needs. Their ages range from infants to 59 years old,” Millimaki said.

Sponsors will receive a name and a list of up to three client wishes. TARCOG asks individuals who buy gifts to wrap those presents and take the parcels to the TARCOG office by Nov. 29.

“We just try to make sure that everyone has a special gift because in many cases, it will be the only thing they will receive,” Brinkley said.

The public still has time to participate. Call Millimaki at 256-830-0818 or email amber.millimaki@tarcog.us.

For more information about TARCOG, call 256716-2457 or visit tarcog.us.