Holiday gift bags bring smiles to Folsom seniors

It's not what you give, it's why you give. It's giving to those who don't get much for Christmas that makes the senior holiday gift bag program so special. Karen Oosterman has organized the program for four years now. This year was her biggest and best; a surprise considering Oosterman wasn't even sure if she was going to ask anyone to give this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. "When COVID first hit, I wasn't sure if I was going to do it because I didn't think we'd get many contributions but my daughter said, 'No, mom, you're wrong. It will be the biggest year ever.'" 2020 was indeed the biggest and best year of the program by far. After delivering gift bags to 234 seniors citizens a year ago, Oosterman and Ernie's Army, named for friends and supporters of long-time Folsom resident and Vice Mayor Ernie Sheldon who died last month, assembled and delivered more than 650 bags this year to Folsom's low income, disabled and home-bound seniors, and veterans. It's a program Sheldon greatly supported. "The purpose of the program is simple: put a bag together containing life's most needed items, most of the items we take for granted every day," Oosterman said. "Ernie didn't care if you lived on top of the hill, at the bottom of the hill or around the hill. He loved the Folsom community and he loved the senior center and contributed to it often." Ernie's Army includes more than 500 volunteers from nearly 30 organizations in town, including high school students from Vista del Lago and Folsom, and Oak Ridge in El Dorado Hills. While Oosterman takes the project's lead, she couldn't do it without all the volunteers. "When we first started the program, I knew some people at Vista del Lago so I went there to speak to some classes and explained the need," Oosterman said. "They were looking at me like I was crazy. They didn't get it. Then I explained that for a cost of one of their Starbucks' drinks, you could get seniors items they needed like a brush, some toiletries, tissues, lip balm, some socks and slippers and then I saw some watery eyes, and the advisor was even crying. Then they got it. "The next year, I went to Folsom High. I said you guys are good at football, how good are you at giving? This year, we got Oak Ridge involved. The kids have been great and it's so critical for them to meet the seniors. Ernie really has been my inspiration all these years, blending seniors with youth. He would be thrilled." Making room for 650-plus bags and baskets full of necessities and other goodies calls for plenty of space to store, organize and put the bags together. Oosterman is grateful for The Gathering Place Church in Folsom for providing that space this year. Bags and baskets of goodies were delivered to four assisted-living facilities, seven mobile home parks, two large veterans groups and to seniors who live in their own homes through Angels on Wheels, which delivers food to homebound seniors through Twin Lakes Food Bank. Sue Luckey is a Park Folsom Assisted Living resident and also works there. Last year, the venue hosted a big Christmas party for the residents when Oosterman and as many of Ernie's Army volunteers she could get delivered gift bags to the residents. "I can speak for myself and all the residents that it's a wonderful thing they do and we totally enjoy it," Luckey said. "I can't thank Karen enough and our sponsor this year, the Historic Rotary Club of Folsom, who made sure all 91 residents got a bag. Last year, we had a surprise Christmas party for our residents. All the high school kids came and passed out the baskets and bags. We had cookies and caroling and Santa Claus was even there. Most residents don't get anything for Christmas and the ones that do get something extra from this. The residents get a big thrill hanging out with the high school kids." Because of COVID-19, a party couldn't be held this year but Oosterman and Ernie's Army still delivered the gift bags and they were distributed as a surprise this week. The program is not only enjoyable for the seniors but also for the students and the other volunteers as well. Kristine Hintzman is a physical therapist assistant and works with seniors every day. She met Oosterman at Folsom's Community Service Day in September and heard about the holiday gift basket program. "I absolutely think it's wonderful," Hintzman said. "I think it's important we spend so much time and focus on children because they're great, but sometimes, we forget about our seniors, especially during these pandemic times when they are isolated. Many are on fixed incomes and their loved ones aren't around. Christmas is a special time and so many seniors are lonely and it's important for everyone to feel loved and wanted. I think it's a fabulous program and I'm super happy to do it."