Brittany Kelley
KYLE — The Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ) provides important resources for its disabled and older adult members year round, but public relations coordinator Cynthia Bentley and programs and entertainment coordinator Dawn Conley explained that they make sure to give back to the same community that supports them.
Over the next several weeks, KASZ will be participating in four collections to aid its Hays County community members. The first of which is Center Street Trick-or-Treat.
The event, hosted by the city of Kyle, will take place Saturday, Oct. 25, and offers a family-friendly environment, where local organizations and businesses can gather in booths at Mary Kyle Hartson City “Scare” Park, for children to enjoy the Halloween holiday.
Conley explained that KASZ will be collecting individually-wrapped candy — no chocolate — and fun, non-edible items, such as bracelets, stickers and more, for the young Kyle residents that visit their booth.
Although the children will be receiving the goodies, Conley shared that the people getting the real treat are the seniors, who enjoy passing out candy to “pseudo-grandkids” and seeing all of the costumes, as many are empty-nesters or have children that have moved away.
The deadline for donations is Thursday, Oct. 23.
Just five days later, on Oct. 28, KASZ will finish its collection for Kare Kits.
“Sherry P. Hamilton is the founder of Red Heart CPR and Women of Unity. Her specialty is addressing the needs of families with disabilities and she addresses the entire family,” explained Bentley.
Hamilton does this, said Conley, by asking various nonprofits for specific items. So, KASZ is responsible for collecting toiletry items that could be needed by the older adult population. This includes incontinence products, lotions, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lip balm, clothing and more. Then, these items will be distributed to older adults.
Bentley emphasized that these donations are important, as many older adults often feel forgotten or burdensome, so these gifts let them know that community members are still thinking of them and care for them.
“Sherry, with Women of Unity, doesn’t just want to be like, ‘Here’s some items.’ [The recipients] want to know that it was done in love. So, she brings over some white bags, so that our seniors can then decorate these bags with messages of love, images of hearts and they just have fun,” said Conley. “It gives them the opportunity to connect themselves to the community.”
KASZ is also participating in two versions of Coats for Kids. The first collects new and gently-used coats for children of all ages across Hays County, while the second for one school and honors Alex Barragan. Jr.
“Alex had the program in Corpus Christi, Texas, and since [his son] is here and his father is no longer with us, he wanted to do something in memory of his father. So, he’s also collecting new coats only for children at Uhland Elementary School,” said Bentley.
The deadline for both coat collections is Friday, Nov. 14.
Finally, the nonprofit is participating in Pillows of Peace. The program began in New Orleans, until it was brought to Hays County by Bentley.
The goal, said Bentley, is to provide comfort to those fleeing domestic violence. Having experienced abuse herself, the project hits close to home, as when she fled, she only had a few items, let alone a pillow to call her own.
“It’s not only affecting the person, but it’s affecting the whole family. So, that’s why it’s so important for us to bring awareness to domestic violence with the Pillow of Peace program,” she said. “With those pillows, we want to let recipients know that, ‘Hey, you hold on to this pillow, find some comfort and that we are here for you in every way that we can be.’”
Additionally, last year, KASZ began having its members who sew create quilted pillowcases, adding something unique and special to each donation.
Pillow collection occurs Friday, Nov. 1 at Kohl’s in Kyle, 20185 Marketplace Ave.
While these donations give back to the community, which both Bentley and Conley emphasized is important, it also gives a newfound sense of purpose for its members.
“For me, being a disabled adult member here at KASZ, it gives me purpose. It allows me to find those areas of need and feel like I’m giving something back as much as I can. I think that kind of umbrellas even the seniors. They have so much stories and wisdom and things that they experience that allowing them to find different avenues of giving pillows and toys and candy and treats and toiletries, they’re able to feel like they’re still making a difference. Because as you become more isolated with yourself, you feel lonely or you feel like there’s no reason to keep going. I think this is an opportunity for everybody to just keep going and keep giving,” Conley said.
All donations can be dropped off at the Krug Activity Center, located at 101 S. Burleson St. in Kyle.
For those interested in reaching out to KASZ about community drives or events, email details to [email protected].
