OLLI volunteers create a year of celebration

Last fall, volunteers from Penn State's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) arrived with rakes and garden gloves in hand, ready to pitch in for Centre County United Way's Day of Caring. Their assignment: outdoor yard work and winter preparation at two of our intellectual and developmental disabilities residential programs. 

As they worked alongside residents and staff, the OLLI team discovered something beyond the day's tasks. They left with a simple question: "What else could we do together?" 

That question led to an idea: goodie bags filled with supplies for holidays, birthdays, and everyday activities. This month, the OLLI team returned with dozens of bags, one for every resident across the intellectual disability residential program. 

Each bag includes items like cake mix, streamers, napkins, decorations, and craft supplies, giving staff the extra touches to make celebrations and daily moments special. The volunteers also donated sheets and towels, helping keep our homes comfortable and welcoming. 

These supplies mean more than what's in the bags. They mean gathering around a birthday cake. They mean decorating for the holidays. They mean recognizing that everyday moments matter. 

We're grateful to everyone at Penn State's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for their generosity and partnership.