Fairfield Residents in Greater Seattle Area Hold Gift Drive for Senior Neighbors

‘Tis the season of bright lights, beautiful decorations, crowded shopping malls, overflowing Amazon carts, candy canes, delicious cookies, and visions of sugar plums. Despite rising costs of goods and travel, inflation, threats of recession, and many “what-ifs,” people across the nation still find ways to make their holiday times special.

Amidst the celebration, however, one thing is not lost - holiday times can be times of great sorrow and loneliness for some. The spirit of the holiday season notwithstanding, memories of lost loved ones, hardships of job loss, foreclosed homes, medical expenses, and the unfortunate circumstantial loss of things and experiences that many spend lifetimes to earn can make holiday times extremely difficult to face – especially for low-income senior citizens.

Giving Back to Neighbors in Need

Upon learning about 10 affordable apartment communities housing low-income seniors in the Greater Seattle area affectionately known as Fairfield’s "WashingTen", residents at Infinity, Radiate, Aspect, and North apartment communities rallied to send holiday cheer and recognition to these senior neighbors through a holiday wish gift drive. At a time when the giving focus tends to be toward younger generations, Fairfield residents want their senior neighbors to know they they are not forgotten. We are proud to highlight their spirit of giving!

Holiday Gift Drive

In mid-November holiday trees went up in lobbies, ornaments filled with gift wishes were hung on the trees, and residents had an opportunity to take the ornaments to find out which wish they could grant by purchasing that gift. Gifts were returned to the respective leasing offices and a bounty of treasure to share with the seniors at the various Fairfield senior affordable apartment communities was collected.

From Boardwalk in Olympia to Lakewood Meadows in the Tacoma area, Auburn Court in Auburn, and Meridian Court in Federal Way on up to Washington Terrace and Cedar Park in Seattle, Woodlands at Forbes Lake in Kirkland, Ballinger Court in Edmonds, and Alderwood Court and Lynnwood, all the way up to Woodrose in Bellingham, senior residents all had an opportunity to share in the bounty of gifts. To keep the opportunity to receive gifts as equal as possible, gifts will be offered as door prizes for their various holiday and New Year celebrations.

Gifts included puzzles, blanket throws, scarves, grocery gift cards, toiletries, and other sundry things. Seniors don’t expect much – it’s the simple things and the thoughts that count for them. When faced with struggles to purchase life’s basic necessities – like food, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and pet food for their beloved companions – these little extras make a huge difference and bring much joy.

'Tis the Season to Give Back

We may not all be called to do great things in this life, but, we can all make a big difference by doing little things with great love. We take a moment this holiday season to thank our Fairfield Holiday Wish Gift Drive participants at Infinity, Radiate, Aspect at Totem Lake, and North at Totem Lake on behalf of our very thankful WashingTen seniors. The wishes you granted through your gifts brought much joy to many seniors. With hearts filled with gratitude, we wish you all a joyful and prosperous 2023!