About five years ago Cheryl Campbell had an idea. She wanted to help shut in and homebound older adults by providing them with resources, supports and holiday seasons that would fill the gap of loneliness or lack of living family members to celebrate that “special time” of year with. Campbell, who can be found on the internet at all hours of the night decided she was going to do something about and for older adults in Bucks County.
From her Bristol Township living room and basement, too, she put together an army of volunteers that have helped to form and create one of the most unusual non-profits in the area’ Solutions for Seniors Presented by the Christmas Gala.
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Campbell, a perfectionist of sorts, has left such a lasting impression on so many others, some local groups in the area have sought her support and advice in helping get their ideas turned into community non-profits.
As Campbell tells it about one year into her effort to give help, support, and services to local seniors, she was contacted about a 100-year-old woman and her late 80’s roommate who also provided care to the older of the two. They experienced a life crisis of sorts. They had an apartment fire and lost everything, Campbell said. “Through a number of local contacts,” she said, “we were able to give to the women, a new bed, tables, chairs, dishes, and the things a person needs to live a decent dignified life.”
From there, Campbell says, “things really started to take off for us. We started to get calls from the community asking who we were and what could be done to help.” Among the first to step up was, Bucks County Neighbors (BCN) when Campbell started to visit seniors in their homes during the holiday season and give them gifts.
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BCN is absolutely wonderful. They have helped us so much and will be doing so again this holiday season. BCN helped to raise over $3000.00 which allowed us to full fill over 60 angel requests last year.
What’s an Angel request you ask? Campbell explained it this way. “We put up what we call Angel Trees. You” see them at a number of locations, such as Impact Thrift Store on Street Road in Trevose on November 5. On the trees are angel ornaments that have a community need identified on them. A person or organization can take the angel off the tree and send in a donation or items to fill that need for an older adult in the community.”
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“Its a great way of giving back and lets say you don’t have grandparents or your parents here with us, it’s a great way to honor their memory,” she said.
During the summer, Campbell and the dedicated newly inducted board members and volunteers put together a schedule of events with an eye on making the non-profit a name for now and years to come. Beginning with a fundraiser at Jo Jo’s Ice Cream Tuesday night and culminating with the Christmas Gala Ball, the all volunteer corps have been real busy.
Campbell, said, when she first started all she hoped to do was to help some Bucks County seniors, said the growth and scope of the agency continues to evolve in terms of the services they provide and plan to offer in the very future.
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And that’s a good thing for all older adults over 65 in Bucks County during any season!
If you know someone in need of services feel free to call The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging at Phone: 267-880-5700 or Family Services Association
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For a full listing of upcoming events from Solutions for Seniors Presented by the Christmas Gala. click the link. Or “Like” them on Facebook
Solutions for Seniors presented by Christmas Gala The Christmas Gala is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization focused on lending a hand to aid local seniors, primarily in the Bucks County, PA area with hopes of reaching other surrounding areas. Far too many elderly people are forgotten or unable to meet their own needs. Our mission is to lend a hand to these seniors. Whether its supplying blankets, toiletries, or spending time with them listening to “remember when” stories.” “Jim” from Miracle Ear, the Bucks County Agency on Aging and The United Way have also partnered up with Campbell’s agency help improve the quality of life for older adults in Bucks County and Burlington, New Jersey.
