LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Holiday treat delivered to seniors


LCVI Client, Ernie (left) and LCVI volunteer Dianne Photos provided

Volunteers from the Lions Center for the Visually Impaired (LCVI) brightened the lives of 80 blind and visually impaired seniors, including two from Lafayette and Orinda, on Dec. 7 by hand delivering to them a freshly cooked, holiday meal with roast turkey and ham and a bag full of hand-crafted goodies.? The seniors, who are blind and visually impaired clients of LCVI and many of whom spend a lot of their time at home, appreciated the special holiday gift. The project was organized by LCVI board of directors (president Charles "Duke" Dunham), to provide a "special, warm holiday meal delivered with joyful kindness."

As they dished out plates for the clients, Bill Ridle, LCVI board member and his wife Darlene, head chefs for the event, commented, "It's great to be able to help our clients with this holiday meal. We enjoyed cooking the food and were able to prepare special dishes for those with dietary needs."

Organized as a way to bring smiles during the ongoing pandemic, this project was led by the LCVI board and volunteers, who expanded the program from 29 meals in 2020 to 84 meals in 2021. After assembling the gift bags and labeling for delivery, a crew of about 20 volunteers hand delivered the meals to the homes of the clients across the county, providing a welcome treat.

LCVI client Ernie of Concord expressed his gratitude, "Thank you to the volunteers, for their time and special effort to make and deliver the meal and gifts. It was very gratifying to me." Fellow LCVI client Sam of Clayton added, "It was pretty good! They delivered right to my house. I especially enjoyed the au gratin potatoes, so creamy and cheesy."

For more information about the free services for blind and visually impaired seniors, call the Lions Center for the Visually Impaired/LCVI at 925-432-3013 or visit www.LCVI.org.