Mat-Su Senior Services offers free blankets to Meals on Wheels clients

PALMER — Palmer seniors recently received free handmade quilts and Afghans through the Warm Christmas Project, a joint effort between Mat-Su Senior Services and the Valley Quilters Guild.

Numerous Mat-Su Senior Services clients enrolled in the Meals on Wheels program received free blankets with their meals.

Mat-Su Senior Services board member Ginger Sweeney thanked the Valley Quilters Guild for offering their time and resources to make this charitable effort possible.

"They went all out. They did a fantastic job," Sweeney said. "I've found the community extremely open and willing to help, which speaks to what Palmer is all about. It brings me joy to see how we continue those connections."

Mat-Su Senior Services CEO Tim Pettit said the Warm Christmas Project is a great extension of their Meals on Wheels program. He said that food assistance is their highest priority, and they typically serve about 130 seniors each day of delivery. Seniors receive seven day's worth of meals over the course of three different days each week.

"That is my highest commitment and motivation for this place," Pettit said. "That's a huge thing for these people. We have a lot of programs but that one is the most important."

According to Sweeney, this was the first year they've held the Warm Christmas project. She said they hope to continue this endeavor each year as long as they have the volunteers to do it.

"We couldn't do it without volunteers," Sweeney said.

Sweeney said the senior center participates in Colony Christmas every year. She said they're all busily preparing for their event which will feature various local vendors, a visit from Santa Claus, quilt raffles, a silent auction, and artwork displayed by senior residents. She said the event is not only a fun way to connect with the community but an important fundraiser for their organization as well.

"We really have put in depth thought into how we're going to put out the Christmas spirit," Sweeney said.

For more information about Mat-Su Senior Services, visit matsuseniors.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com