Elder Cheer Information

Elder Cheer was started in 1997 by the Onslow County Department of Social Services.  It began as an effort to help those residents living in assisted living facilities throughout the county.  There are many of the residents who are on Medicaid and are extremely limited on the funds needed to purchase items to meet their personal needs.  They must use their funds to pay for doctor and medication co-pays, which takes most their money each month.

Therefore, we started accepting donations each year of day-to-day items that many of us take for granted.  We also accept cash donations to buy personalized gifts for some of the residents.
 

Partnering with 4-H

 

We have partnered with the 4-H Clubs of Onslow County for many years.  These young people gather items needed to place in stockings for the residents.  Once donations are collected, we meet with the 4-H members and the stockings are put together.  They are then delivered to the facilities within a few days.



Items Needed


We ask the facilities each year to supply us with a list of residents who often can not purchase some of the items listed below on a regular basis.

The items most needed are (we recommend non-scented products as many residents suffer allergic reactions to certain scents):
  • Hair brushes
  • Shampoo
  • Lotion
  • Shaving cream & razors
  • Toothpaste
  • Denture cups & cleanser
  • Deodorant
  • Lap blankets or throws

  • Sweatpants
  • Baseball caps
  • Bedroom slippers
  • Pajamas/gowns/bathrobes
  • Jackets/sweaters
  • Packs of T-shirts
  • Grippy non-slip socks
  • Gloves

Donations


Donations of items may be dropped off at Onslow County Department of Social Services located at 612 College St; Jacksonville, NC, or at Senior Services located at 4024 Richlands Highway, Jacksonville, NC.
 
Monetary donations may be sent to:
Onslow County Department of Social Services
Attn: Adult Services
P.O. Box 1379
Jacksonville, NC 28541-1379

Any questions may be directed to 910-219-1952 or 910-219-1822. If there are any groups that would like to have a presentation about Elder Cheer, please give us at call at this number.

The cut-off date for donations this year will be November 19, 2021.