KCDC staff members assemble Valentine’s Day gift packages for senior residents at the main office on Feb. 10. Pictured from left: Lisa Weddle, Rosetta Brown, Shana Love, Beth Bacon and Cathe Lee.
More than 150 seniors received a Valentine’s Day surprise from Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation staff, who collected, packaged and delivered candy, toiletries, household items, clothing and other treats.
KCDC Administrative Assistant Shana Love delivers a Valentine’s Day care package to Emma Willis at The Verandas on Feb. 14.
“Two years ago, we delivered Valentine’s Day treats for the residents. It tickled them to death, so we knew we wanted to do it again,” said Shana Love, KCDC’s community involvement committee chair. “Holidays can be a hard time for seniors. Many of them might not have somebody to celebrate with, and we hope that these gifts will help them feel loved and thought of this Valentine’s Day.”
The staff donated items and collected them at the main office for several weeks. The Friday before Valentine’s Day, the community involvement committee assembled more than 150 bags for delivery. Committee members included Love, Lisa Weddle, Beth Bacon, Cathe Lee and Rosetta Brown.
On Valentine’s Day, two groups of KCDC employees knocked on every door at The Residences at Eastport in East Knoxville and The Verandas in South Knoxville. Many residents opened their doors to receive the gifts in person; the rest of the gifts were left at front doors.
KCDC Administrative Assistant Shana Love delivers a Valentine’s Day care package to Mary Baker at The Verandas on Feb. 14.
“We carefully selected these properties, because they have exclusively senior and disabled residents,” Love said. “They also don’t have recreation or social halls on-site, so their social activities around holidays are often more limited than at some properties.”
When senior Mary Baker opened her door at The Verandas, she thanked Love for the care package and said that she was glad someone was thinking of her on Valentine’s Day. Thanks to KCDC staff, every senior resident at these properties had a Valentine this year.