Cops, firefighters deliver 350 gift boxes to senior citizens in need
Craig Lyons
LANSING – Police officers and firefighters Wednesday brought holiday cheer to hundreds of senior citizens across the Lansing area.
The Tri-County Area Law Enforcement and Fire Agencies passed out 350 gift boxes to seniors. More than 200 volunteers packed and delivered gift boxes for the group’s annual No Senior Without Christmas program.
“It’s great that we’re able to help out the elderly community,” Lansing Police Department Sgt. Chris Baldwin said.
“We need to support them now that they’re older,” Baldwin said.
Traci Ruiz, a Tri-County TRIAD volunteer, said the Lansing area has seen business growth but also an increase of people in need. She said the group adds more people to the list each year.
“There are a lot of seniors in need in our community,” Ruiz said.
The group helps low-income senior citizens who live alone and don't have families nearby.
Each 30-pound box gave seniors toiletries, prepackaged food, plastic containers, towels and daily necessities.
“They absolutely need those products,” Ruiz said.
Tri-County TRIAD raises $25,000 annually for the No Senior Without Christmas program.
The annual gift giving started in 2000 with 20 Meijer paper shopping bags and three crocheted items. The organization gradually increased the number of boxes distributed each year to meet the growing demand.
“It’s just nice that every year we can help more and more seniors,” said Michelle Jackson, Tri-County TRIAD’s secretary. “It makes seniors’ Christmas.”
Jackson said many seniors can't get out of the house or can't afford basic necessities.
“You give them a box and they give you a hug,” said Bill Dennis, a retired chief investigator with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
The senior citizens Tri-County TRIAD helps often don’t have family nearby or frequent visitors, Dennis said, and it’s important to keep them as a part of the community.
People look forward to passing out the gifts each year, Dennis said. He said the seniors appreciate the gifts and visitors.
“They’re just full of joy,” Dennis said.
Contact reporter Craig Lyons at 517-377-1047 or calyons@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @craigalyons.