Christmas Bags for Seniors Project spreads holiday cheer, delivers 150 gift bags to homebound seniors

: Terry Dereniuk; Posted On Sunday, 01 January 2023 01:23; 01 January 2023

Community volunteers gathered on the Sunday before Christmas to make the season a little brighter for homebound seniors in Lake County. Pictured left to right: Brandon Van Dine, Buz Dereniuk and Terry Dereniuk from Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise; Maura Anderson, Karen Teuscher, Judy Stevenson, Taja Odom, Toni Funderburg and Sharon Witham from Delta Iota Tau Sorority; and Debra Frank, Day Makers Skin Care and Massage. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Christmas was a little brighter this year for 150 of Lake County’s homebound seniors with the arrival of a bag of goodies with their Meals on Wheels delivery the week before Christmas.

Cathleen Mondfrans, an emergency room nurse at Sutter Lakeside Hospital, a member of Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise and tireless community volunteer, is the energy behind this project.

With support from the Lake County Silver Foundation, donors and volunteers, Mondfrans started shopping before Thanksgiving to gather blankets, food, household items and more to fill each bag.

On the Sunday before Christmas, a band of elves gathered in the Yoga Room at Sutter to pack the bags and get them ready for delivery.

Sorority sisters from the Delta Iota Tau joined members of the Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise and Debra Frank, Day Makers Skin Care and Massage, and spent the morning putting candies into small Christmas stockings, bagging cookies and other treats, laying out the hygiene items and more in preparation for stuffing the individual gift bags.

**Head Elf Cathleen Mondfrans smiling at the hustle and bustle at the Christmas Bag packing party. Courtesy photo.**

In addition to monetary support and the donation of large cloth bags, the Silver Foundation coordinated with the senior centers around the Lake for delivery by Meals on Wheels drivers.

The Silver Foundation also gave $100 holiday appreciation gifts to the Meals on Wheels drivers for their help with this project.

This is the fifth year of the Christmas Bags for Seniors project. The project was started in 2017 with 33 bags. With support from the Lake County Silver Foundation, it has grown to 150 bags this year.

“This project is an example of how an idea can blossom into a partnership that quickly becomes a tradition,” said Olga Steele, secretary for the Silver Foundation Board. “We have Cathleen Mondfrans to thank for the idea.”

The Lake County Silver Foundation is a 501©3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and elders in Lake County.

Founded by Jim Steele, the foundation works to secure grants and other sources of funding for senior facility improvements and activities that will enrich the lives of seniors. Visit the Foundation website to learn more or donate. Follow the Lake County Silver Foundation on Facebook.

Terry Dereniuk is president of Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise.