Local program seeks donations during holidays

MARSHFIELD--Since the 2020 Holiday season, area residents in the Marshfield Medical Center Home Delivered Meal’s Program have received Christmas Bags. This year marks the fifth annual operation.
The program started during the pandemic. Recipients received their meals, but interactions with the program’s volunteers, family, and friends weren’t happening, or were very limited. The recipient’s were in need of a “little spark” to get them through the holidays.
It was time to “think outside the box”, and thus, the Silver Sparks program was born. Thanks to Home Delivered Meals Coordinator Kris Hughes, volunteers, and donors.
“I received many calls from families stating their parents or loved ones in the Home Delivered Meals program were isolated at home, due to the pandemic. They had no chance of having visitors, as we approached the holidays. Their loved ones were sad to be alone, and quarantined in their homes. It was scary for them,” Hughes said.
In the past, throughout the year, the meal recipients appreciated occasional little tray favors with their meals, so Silver Sparks was that, only on a much larger scale. More than 150 people benefitted from donated items – mittens, socks, cocoa mix, candies, ornaments, Sudoku books, decks of cards…. things that “would make their hearts warm.” The items were wrapped in pretty gift bags, to go along with the meals, given to people going through dialysis, and those in Respite Care.

“The initiative was a huge success”, Hughes recalled, “thanks to the many people who donated items”.
Silver Sparks became a community effort. From there “the project took on a life of its own,” Hughes said, “and we received unbelievable donations.”
Collection boxes will be located in the Marshfield Medical Center cafeteria, until Dec. 13. Donation boxes are also located at the Marshfield United Way Office, and at the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
For more information, contact Hughes at 715-387-9585 or hughes.kristin@marshfieldclinic.org.