Lydia Clarkston waited at her door Friday, peering through the screen as she eagerly awaited her COVID-19 supplies.
At 81 years old, Clarkston is particularly at risk for COVID-19. Friday’s delivery is her second senior care kit from the United Way of El Paso's Senior Fund. Her first arrived at the start of the pandemic, when toilet paper was especially scarce.
“I thought, oh my god, I was running out," Clarkston said. "I went to different dollar stores and nobody had it, but I got the kit and it saved me.”
When Tommy Gabriel walked up, holding a heavy plastic bag filled with supplies, she stepped outside and expressed her gratitude, but stopped herself from getting too close and stepped back into her home.
Clarkston isn't the only senior the fund has helped as her Friday delivery was the 1,000th care kit since the pandemic began.
This delivery was one of many during United Way’s annual Day of Action. The senior care kits are part of a larger effort to support local seniors in need organized by the Senior Fund, a partnership among the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), the El Paso Times and United Way.
Although the Senior Fund typically provides financial assistance to the elderly by paying for needs such as medical supplies and home modifications, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it shifted gears to ensure that local seniors would still be able to access hygienic supplies. Every care kit includes hand sanitizer, hand soap, toilet paper, multipurpose cleaner and other supplies in high demand during the pandemic.
“I try to take care of myself by not being outside and playing with danger,” Clarkston said.
Since April 3rd, volunteers from corporate partners and community organizations have assembled and delivered over 800 care kits to senior citizens in El Paso. Jocelynn Bryant, who works for United Way’s Parents as Teachers Program, delivers kits every week.
“One day we’re all going to be old and wouldn’t you want others to do the same for you?” Bryant said.
Twenty-eight volunteers made 221 contact-free deliveries to seniors like Clarkston. As each volunteer’s car pulled into an alleyway by United Way’s office, an assembly line of staff confirmed the volunteer’s delivery destinations and loaded their trunks with supplies.
Tommy Gabriel, an eighth generation El Pasoan and an Advisory Board Member at the United Way Young Leaders Society, heard about the senior care kits at a board meeting last week and jumped at the opportunity to give back.
“This city has been really good to me and my family," Gabriel said. "I want the ninth and tenth [generation] to be here, but I want the city to be better for them.”
Little did he know that he would be giving back so close to home — Clarkston lives down the street from him.
“It’s hard but sometimes that brings people together and it brings people helping other people,” Clarkston said. “Sometimes it’s your turn to help and then another time for someone to help you.”
Donate to the Senior Fund at the United Way El Paso website.
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Senior Fund delivers 1,000th senior care kit with supplies for vulnerable elderly - El Paso Times
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