Korinne’s Korner

Heart of Florida Arbor (FL) helped support local teachers. One of its activities was hosting a co ee truck for a breakfast for Kingsford Elementary School students in December. Another activity was sponsoring a catered lunch for teachers at Purcell Elementary School. In addition, the arbor purchased dozens of gift cards for teachers.

Holland Arbor (OH) members had several activities. One involved playing Santa’s elves “to the tear-eyed gentle lady named Vickie Cluckey. She was very appreciative of the boxes of disposable diapers for her two young ones, ages 7 months and 2 years! A few small gifts for her were included.” e project included more than 10 generous hours of shopping by John Kozlaker’s daughter. Earlier, in November, arbor members Dan Atanacio, Jim Randall and John Kozlaker researched and purchased two propane tanks and heaters to assist Dr. Richard Paat with his weekly community health clinics held in tents in various Toledo-area neighborhoods where they treat families with little or no health insurance.

Huron Shores Arbor (MI)

helped save the local Christmas celebration for the city of Croswell. With all the usual Christmas and holiday parades in the area canceled due to COVID-19, the city asked the arbor to assist in a socially distanced alternative. “We met that challenge,” the arbor reported. Santa took a 2 ½-hour horse-drawn wagon ride through the streets of Croswell, waving to families as they stood on their porches or looked out their windows. Residents were encouraged to decorate their vehicles and, at dark, drive to the fairgrounds to enjoy reworks. Immediately after the reworks, residents participated in a decorated vehicle cruise with 350 vehicles which ended at the city of Croswell’s Christmas tree, where Santa was standing and waving to vehicles as they passed. Children were able to drop their Christmas letters in Santa’s mailbox while keeping a safe distance away. “It was a beautiful evening enjoyed by all.”

Legacy Arbor (MI) wrapped up several Christmas projects on Dec. 16. e arbor purchased 80 new blankets for residents at e Oasis at Adrian Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Adrian. e blankets were tied with ribbons and a card. ey were greatly appreciated as nursing home residents were prohibited by state COVID-19 rules from having normal visitation. To help Lenawee County’s homeless, Arbor President Julie Tison also presented Share the Warmth o ce manager Emma Salazar with 30 pairs of heavy winter gloves — 18 pairs for men and 12 pairs for women — for its guests at the Adrian shelter. Finally, a check for $500 was given to Home Instead for its “Be a Santa to a Senior” program to buy Christmas presents for its shut-in clients. Arbor members did the shopping and purchases in 2019, but this December a direct cash donation was more practical and safer.

Madison Arbor (MI) held its annual Santa Paws event on Dec. 5, and it was the most successful to date. It raised $310 for the Lenawee Humane Society as 31 people brought their pets to have a photo taken with Santa. A gift basket drawing, which began in 2019, was expanded to feature two gift baskets — one for a dog and one for a cat. Drawing slips were used to pick the winners, and information on the slips also provided the arbor with names of people interested in the arbor’s community service activities and in Gleaner Life solutions. Each person received at least one printed picture of their pet, plus a treat and a photo card with an envelope that included a link to the Madison Arbor’s Facebook page. All photos were posted to the Facebook page so people could view and download them.