AL Care Center Support

Brightening the spirits of residents in care centers

The Care Center Support program has evolved over 19 years serving residents in eight care centers in Bellingham and Whatcom County without family or friends to remember them on special occasions.

Working through the Activities Directors, Assistance League of Bellingham fulfills personal Holiday wish lists for the residents. Requested items included flannel PJs, cologne, a lap blanket, large print picture books, and dog treats for a service dog that visits.

We also send birthday cards and deliver special springtime treats to brighten the spirits of these residents.

Anni, Care Center Support chair, explains that the program is unique in many ways,

“We provide Christmas gifts to residents in eight different long-term care facilities: six in Bellingham and two in Ferndale. The activity directors identify potential recipients (anyone with a limited income or little social support). They are asked what they would like Santa to bring them for Christmas. Assistance League members volunteers ‘shop til they drop’ to purchase the requested items. They wrap and deliver the gifts, thereby spreading the joy of the season.”

How we're making a difference ( 2021-2022 )

692
Christmas gifts delivered
to eight care centers
91
handmade quilts
given to care centers
173
residents recognized
and remembered

Being remembered and feeling loved

I have witnessed tears of joy as gifts were opened. It’s a humbling experience. I am proud to belong to Assistance League of Bellingham.

-Anni Martinek, Care Center Support program chair

Brighten a resident’s day.

Want to help those in need?

We truly spread a little joy and bring such smiles to the resident’s faces. We wish we could do it more often.

-Anni Martinek, Care Center Support program chair

What's happening in your community

Lynden's

Lynden’s “Pieceables Quilt Guild” Donates to Care Center Support Program

Once again, Assistance League of Bellingham was thrilled to receive a wonderful donation of 99 beautifully made quilts from Lynden’s “Pieceables Quilt Guild”.  The quilts will be a delightful addition to the Christmas gifts given this year in our Care Center Support program.  Each Christmas, residents in care centers who have no family or friends […]

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