—- Update (12/19/20….1:47pm)
Due to the overwhelming response to the story, the organizers are going to extend their goal and are trying to adopt all 72 residents at Doctors Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salem. If you are interested in donating contact them via email southernillinoisdonations@gmail.com.
We all know about the BCMW/WJBD Adopt A Family Program, but three residents of Salem decided with the Covid impact on the elderly in the area, they would support those in need and started the first “Adopt A Grandparent” drive that helped give 116 residents of assisted living facilities a Christmas to remember.
Jessica LoGrasso, KaRissa Allison, and Michele Donoho teamed up to organize the drive. They had a goal to sponsor every resident at two local assisted living facilities, The Manor of Salem Woods in Salem and the Heritage Woods in Centralia. Their mission was to give every resident a Christmas to remember during these troubled times.
They received donations from local businesses, Cindy Quinn-Wood Midwest Farm and Land Company, Landers Collision as well as Twisted Sisters in Kell. They also received donations for sponsorship from 68 other individuals in the southern Illinois area.
The goal was reached when all 116 residents were adopted out and they raised $2,320 for the holiday season. Each adopted grandparent received a gift, a personalized card, and baked goods. Jessica, Karissa, and Michele worked hard to conquer their goals of giving to others. According to LoGrasso, they were amazed by all the support in our local communities to make this happen. She added this is what the holiday season is all about. The success was much more than they dreamed of and they plan to make this a yearly tradition.
