F E A T U R E - C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E S C O M M I T T E E C h a i r s : J o r d a n B e h l m a n - G r e e n b e r g T r a u r i g , P . A . & L a r a L a Vo i e - L a Vo i e & K a i z e r , P . A .

the csc , hcBa members , and our community made a difference in the most difficult year since the inception of elves for elders .

a marquis event for the Community Service Committee , this year was like no other , because of the pandemic . Thankfully , our members , under the leadership of Head Elf Lisa Esposito , rose to the challenge in every possible way .

The Elves for Elders Drive benefits the non-profit Aging Solutions , Inc , which is the Office of Public Guardian for Hillsborough , Pinellas , Brevard , Manatee , and Pasco counties . The elders we support are wards of the state , many of whom live on approximately $ 35 a month . This monthly income from Medicaid is their only monetary resource to purchase basic essentials such as toiletries , clothing , and a luxury item like Cheetos or a stuffed animal . These elders are unable to care for themselves and have no family . Without the generosity of elves like you and elves from all over Florida and the U . S . ( elves spread the word very well ), these elders would have no presents for the holidays . While we normally organize a visit to Whispering Oaks ( one of the nursing homes served by Aging Solutions , Inc .) where we hand out small gifts and candies and go caroling down the hallways ,

COVID-19 prohibited us from doing so this year . While this was disappointing , it did not stop our members from finding novel ways to go above and beyond for those in need during this unique holiday season .

In addition to adopting every ward ( all 400 of them , more than any other year of the past seventeen years Head Elf Lisa has been working with this charity ), we learned shortly before Christmas that 200 needy elders at Whispering Oaks required shampoo , soap , razors , toothbrushes , and other basic essentials . Under a time crunch , and with many of you already having generously donated to the drive , President Paige A . Greenlee sprung into action and emailed our members for any additional support they could provide . The response was nothing short of amazing .

Not only did our members contribute the needed items , but many of you helped spread the word and the community came together — including lawyers , paralegals , legal assistants , engineers , teachers , nurses , clients , retirees , and people from all professions — all of whom donated much-needed funds that enabled our

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