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Donations needed for drive

By adding one more stocking to their list of stockings to fill this holiday season, local citizens can provide needy seniors with joy and happiness. Stockings filled with goodies, gift cards, and small necessities can be dropped off at the Orchard Valley at Wilbraham senior living community located at 2387 Boston Road in Wilbraham through Tuesday, December 15th. The community's goal is to deliver 150 stockings to local Councils on Aging, who in turn will deliver the stockings to needy seniors in our local communities. Orchard Valley will host Holiday Mixer on December 15th, 4-6 PM to wrap up the drive. Last minute stocking donations will be received and representatives from local Councils on Aging will be in attendance. Recommended value is around $25 and recommended items to include in stockings would be: gift credit cards, local grocery store gift cards, eyeglass repair kits, lens cleaner/lens wipes, light-up magnifying glasses, flashlights, batteries, nightlights, nail clippers, nail file boards, pocket tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotion, stationery/note cards, greeting card assortments, stamps, disposable cameras, pot holders, candy, lottery tickets, sugar-free items for diabetics and Sudoku/crossword/word search puzzle books. However, there is no minimum or maximum limit on monetary value or what can be included. "The value's not a matter what matters are the number of helping hands and the satisfaction of knowing that one has helped a senior in need this holiday season," said Elena Leon, director of community relations at Orchard Valley at Wilbraham. "There are many programs in the area to help support children and families in need, but often our seniors who are frail with limited resources are forgotten. Last year we distributed 72 stockings and the heartwarming thank you notes that we received brought tears to my eyes. In some cases, the donated stocking was the only holiday gift received." Orchard Valley at Wilbraham offers assisted living and the Harbor Program of care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other memory impairments. The community is operated by Benchmark Assisted Living, based in Wellesley. Benchmark is the largest privately held provider of senior living services in the Northeast and is committed to setting the standard of excellence in senior housing. The company develops, owns and manages an array of senior living communities which offer independent living, assisted living, and specialized assisted living for the memory impaired. Benchmark operates 44 communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Maine. Visit Benchmark at www.benchmarkquality.com.