NORWICH – The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Chenango County is undertaking efforts to make Christmas a little brighter for area seniors who face the likelihood of being alone for the holidays.

The RSVP organization – a subdivision of Opportunities for Chenango – is currently collecting donations to offer Chenango County seniors who have no family in the area and may possibly spend the holidays in solus. RSVP volunteers are seeking out donations of new clothing, candy, winter hats, gloves and scarves, pet and animal treats, or any other necessity that can be wrapped and delivered along with boxes of non-perishable foods to seniors.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Director Jon Moseley is overseeing the effort. According to him, this is only one small step the organization can take to brighten peoples’ lives for the holidays. Said Moseley, “This is something that hopefully will make someone feel better. It will lighten their day and sometimes, that’s what you need to do.”

Thus far, RSVP has received outstanding backing from agency members, community volunteers, and other staff workers at Opportunities for Chenango. A letter regarding the annual initiative was sent to local non-profit agencies, including the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging, in November. Since then, RSVP volunteers have received tremendous support, said Moseley, with donations of assorted winter clothing, slippers, books, calendars; some volunteers even donate hand-knitted items to be wrapped up and distributed at the end of the week. What’s more, donated gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants are included in the each care package.