Adopt a grandparent: Castle Dale elementary helps out

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Sometimes those residents of care centers may be overlooked at the holidays, but thanks to a program initiated by Debbie Sackett, a local Mary Kay consultant that was not the case in Emery and Carbon counties this Christmas season.
Sackett said, “The idea of the Adopt A Grandparent program has been shared among Mary Kay consultants across the nation. We have implemented this program in the past but not to the scale of this year. It has blossomed into a wonderful community event.
“This project started at the end of August-first part of September as we made fliers and started contacting our customers and businesses. We shared with each of them that a $20 donation would be able to take care of three residents and that we would match their donation. As we contacted Jayne at the Emery County Care and Rehab., she mentioned that the residents love getting cards from children. Two wonderful customers were contacted that are teachers. Carli O’Neil third grade teacher at Castle Dale Elementary and Maria Lasslo kindergarten teacher at Sally Mauro. Maria in turn enlisted her dad Steve Lasslo to help. Mr. Lasslo is a second grade teacher at Castle Heights Elementary. These teachers and students helped us tremendously by making Christmas cards for each resident. Carli O’Neil’s class helped in assembling our gift bags along with the Huntington 5th Ward Achievement Day girls.
“Our original plan was to provide gift bags for the Emery County Care and Rehab in Ferron and the Heirloom Inn in Price. However because of the generosity and wonderful donations from businesses and customers, we have been able to provide an ornament and gift bag filled with oranges and goodies for the residents of the Heirloom Inn, Emery County Care and Rehab and the Elmo Beehive Home. We cannot thank all those who have donated and participated enough for all their efforts. It has blessed many lives. Our goal next year is to be able to have enough donations to take care of all facilities for the elderly in Carbon and Emery Counties,” said Sackett.