The Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging thanks community members and Tulare County employees who donated items, large and small, to the Stockings for Senior Citizens Project.

The Stockings for Senior Citizens drive strives to alleviate social isolation and loneliness in older Americans, a problem associated with higher rates of chronic disease, depression, dementia and death.

This year, because of many generous contributions, more than 400 seniors in the Kings/Tulare County area received stockings filled with gifts and a visit from those who delivered the stockings.

"The visit that comes with every stocking delivery may be the only visit that homebound and isolated seniors receive during the holiday season," said Laura Silva, HHSA Aging Services manager and director of The Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (K/T AAA). "The gifts in the stockings provide warmth, but it is the visit from folks who gave of their time as they make the deliveries that provides a deeper joy."

Stockings were stuffed with items such as hats, scarves, gloves, lap blankets, and slippers. Senior citizens in the Home-Delivered Meal Program, Multipurpose Senior Services Program, and Adult Protective Services received stockings and visits from volunteers who delivered the gifts.