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October 23, 2008

EDITORIAL: Nursing home gifts suggested

Angie LaMariana is a soon-to-be-94-year-old who you'd think would be looking for help getting by, not giving it. Unless you knew him. Then, you'd understand that he's far more a giver than a getter.

He makes an annual pitch around Christmas time to coax anybody who will listen to buy presents for area nursing-home residents or maybe to have them over for dinner. After all, they live alone and "may not have kith or kin," as he likes to say. (In fact, he's lived alone for years, since the death of his beloved wife, Winnie, so he knows what he's talking about.) His car is parked for good, but he walks farther in a day than most Plattsburgh residents drive.

This year, LaMariana has gotten out early and has collected from nursing homes around Plattsburgh a list of items their residents would find useful and for which they'd be appreciative. As Angie points out, this list would apply anytime anybody was moved to offer a nice gesture -- not just at Christmas.

Here is the list, nursing home by nursing home in Plattsburgh only (Remember, he's almost 94 and on foot):

Clinton County

Nursing Home

CD players and CDs, mainly classical, older country and '40s and '50s music; gift cards from Wal-Mart for decorations or personal items; large-print calendars. Activities Director Cindy Matott says the home's goal is to eventually have a CD player in every room for music stimulation.

Meadowbrook

Healthcare

Women's purses, picture frames in all sizes, small photo albums, wall hangings for rooms, large-print word-search and crossword books, playing cards, men's colognes and handkerchiefs, costume jewelry, wheelchair tote bags (which can be ordered online) and musicals (the classics) on tape (DVD and VHS).

Community Relations Coordinator Vicki Marking notes that because of diet and other health restrictions they ask that no food items be included. Because of recent donations, they are not in need of lap blankets or quilts.

Evergreen Valley

Handkerchiefs, slippers, old movies on DVD and a medium sweater for men; for women: large sweater, fleece blanket, perfume, lotion, soft teddy bear, body wash, doll, crayons and paper.

CVPH Nursing Home

For women: perfume, body mist, shampoo/cream rinse, hand lotion, body wash, brushes/combs, makeup, slipper socks, fleece blankets, large/extra-large shirts and sweaters and Fixodent.

For men: aftershave, extra-large and large sweatshirts and sweatpants, shampoo, slipper socks, fleece blankets, words search, short stories, pre-shave and musical and movie CDs.

There you have it. Add these to your shopping list, and you'll brighten the day for someone who can use it, reward Angie LaMariana for his hard work and dedication and maybe feel a little better about yourself, while you're at it.

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