Earth Angels brightened holiday for home-bound seniors

To the Editor: I would like to publicly thank the “Earth Angels” who provided holiday cheer to our home-bound Sussex County Seniors. For the eighth consecutive year, I invited my clients, my colleagues, and the residents of Sussex County to open their hearts to dozens of Sussex County senior citizens who are alone and living on a fixed income. During the holidays, everyone seems to focus on needy children, but we know there are many senior citizens, some who are shut-ins, who can benefit from our attention. Once again, the response from the community was amazing and heartwarming. The delivery squadron of the Earth Angels consisted of interested volunteers and Sussex County TRIAD members (coordinated by Sgt. Terry Hospodar of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office) and my staff and me. I shared in the happiness all those gifts brought to many of our Sussex County home-bound senior citizens. In addition, every day during the week before Christmas, dedicated “Angels” delivered goodies supplied by you to isolated seniors. Also, members of Mrs. Untig’s fifth grade class provided beautiful, handmade greeting cards with a personal letter from the student to each recipient. The students are so involved that they will continue to create greeting cards with personal letters for upcoming holidays.  The rewards of this intergenerational activity are immeasurable. I thank you all, contributors, supporters, student correspondents, and delivery squadron members, and I hope you will continue to participate in our Earth Angel project. I cordially invite others to join us. This year a special thanks again goes to the associates of the Weichert Realty office in Sparta, who by holding an in-house auction, presented Earth Angels nearly $1,200 in supermarket and Wal-mart gift cards. Our recipients were astounded at the generosity of this community. Finally, I ask that if you know of a home-bound senior who is on a fixed income and has no one to provide holiday gifts to them, and who would enjoy receiving a visit, you can call my office at 973-940-0707. Elenora L. Benz Attorney at Law Newton