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United Way seeking ‘Bags of Love’ for community’s elderly

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Laurens County, S.C. – Each year prior to the Valentine’s Day season, the United Way of Laurens County sponsors “Bags of Love,” and UWLC is hoping to gather bags for even more gift bags this year.

“There are hundreds of seniors in our community living alone and dependent on community agencies for food, socialization, and basic human contact,” said Resource Development Manager Aryele Redmond. “These bags brighten their days and warm their hearts during these cold winter months.”

Volunteer groups, businesses and individuals are asked to compile gift bags with various essentials, such as toiletries, boxes of Kleenex, puzzle books, socks, toothpaste and brushes, blankets and calendars.

They can use sugar free candy, devotional or puzzle books, wash cloths and soap or any other items which can be useful and help these senior citizens feel loved, Redmond said.

“This program has been going on for many years and it’s a great service to the elderly of our community,” said Alesia Carter, executive director of United Way of Laurens County. “We provide the bags to Piedmont Agency on Aging and they deliver them to every person who receives Meals on Wheels.”

UWLC Resource Development Manager Aryele Redmond, center, gathers Bags of Love donations from the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce.

Last year in spite of challenges from Covid, the agency had enough volunteers supporting the program to contribute 1000 bags to area seniors. In addition to the Meals on Wheel recipients, the bags are also available for other homebound seniors who are not connected with those programs.

“We will be delivering bags to Gray Court Town Hall and they’ll distribute to some homebound residents there,” Carter said.”
Additional bags will go to residents of The Laurens County Memorial Home, each of the nursing homes in the county and the Hospice House, Carter said.
Contact the United Way of Laurens County for more information on needed items or if your workplace is interested in helping. Contact Catherine@cperkins@uwlc-online.org, and call 864-833-3623.

In order to deliver the gift bags by Valentine’s Day, the drop off is planned for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the United Way office anytime by Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the United Way office. The address is 16 Peachtree Street, Clinton, S.C. 29325. Checks are also accepted and staff can then use the funds to collect needed items.

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