Adopt A Grandparent: Give Gifts To Elderly Without Holiday Plans

ORLAND PARK, IL — The holiday season grows near, but spare change is sparse after the COVID-19 pandemic, so an Orland Park woman came up with a unique approach to a sad situation that stuck with her for years.

After witnessing elderly residents at Alden Estates of Orland Park Healthcare Center spend the holidays alone, Orland Park native Lori Silagyi decided to help by organizing an "Adopt a Grandparent" campaign to sponsor personalized Christmas gifts for residents without family or whose family can't be with them due to health concerns.

"My grandpa was in Alden. He was a resident there and diagnosed with ALS," Silagyi told Patch. "They took great care of him, the staff was wonderful. They have a special place in my heart and I'm going to give back."

The program asks singular members of the community or businesses to donate $20 to adopt a resident at the senior living center who will receive a bottle of hand and foot cream, fuzzy socks or a blanket, and a handwritten note attributed to the donor and letting the resident know they're being thought of the week of Christmas.

Click here to 'Adopt a Grandparent'

Silagyi, a Nu Skin representative, first got the idea from a friend in Minnesota who was doing something similar to bring a bright spot to nursing home residents who have been among the most vulnerable and isolated during the pandemic.

Silagyi is collecting the money via GoFundMe and has already raised enough to purchase and deliver a gift to 65 residents. Inspired by the support, Silagyi told Patch she is aiming to raise enough funds to buy a gift for all 145 of Alden's residents.

When thinking of the times her family would pick up her late grandfather, John C. Diver, for the holidays, Silagyi became emotional.

"There were lots of seniors that didn't have a family at all," she said. "They didn't even leave, they would just sit and look out the window ... I hope this can put a smile on their face."

The deadline to donate to the fundraiser is Dec. 5. Gifts are scheduled to be hand-delivered the week of Christmas.

Donators can sponsor one gift or pay $90 to adopt five grandparents. Through the site, those wishing to donate can remain anonymous. As of Tuesday afternoon, Brannigan Chiropractic Center had adopted the most gifts with 10 claimed.