COCOA seeks holiday gift card, calendar donations

Each holiday season, the Central Oregon Council on Aging (COCOA) receives donations of gifts to distribute to their Meals on Wheels clients.

COCOA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting dignity, well-being, security and independence for Central Oregon’s senior citizens and disabled adults, is the designated Area Agency on Aging, and administers the Meals on Wheels program.

Meals-on-Wheels is a program that provides meals to homebound seniors five to seven days a week and are delivered by a core of dedicated COCOA volunteers. These volunteers, who check on the senior’s wellbeing and provide companionship, are often the only outside contact these seniors have.

While COCOA greatly appreciates the donations of gifts, the most pressing need for the clients is that of nutrition and personal items. This year, COCOA is asking civic groups, business, and individuals to instead donate $10 gift certificates to a local grocery store.

COCOA’s goal is to give at least one gift card to each of their 180 Deschutes County Meals-on-Wheels clients. In addition to the gift cards, COCOA would like to distribute colorful calendars to each of the seniors in the program.

For more information or to donate gift cards and calendars or to make a cash donation, please contact Jean McPherson, Central Oregon Council on Aging, Community Relations Manager at 541-678-5483 or jmcpherson@councilonaging.org.