State Program Delivers Holiday Stockings to Allendale County Residents

The Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem Program of South Carolina, a division of the Department on Aging, prepared and delivered 100 holiday stockings to vulnerable adults residing in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities earlier this month. The stockings reached adults placed in protective custody by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and included recipients across 26 South Carolina counties, among them Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg and Charleston, as well as a resident placed in an Augusta, Georgia facility.

VAGAL SC provides guardians ad litem for vulnerable adults aged 18 and older, many of whom have experienced abuse, neglect or exploitation. The program serves all 46 South Carolina counties and advocates for adults who are temporarily in protective custody while appropriate living arrangements are found. The holiday distribution was intended to offer immediate comfort during a period of uncertainty for people waiting for longer-term placement decisions.

Each stocking was filled by the VAGAL SC team with items meant to brighten the season: snacks, sodas, candy, socks, and small festive items such as a light-up necklace and beads. The goods were purchased with resources from the Vulnerable Adult Fund, which supports guardians ad litem by providing blankets, clothing, shoes, books, puzzles, comfort items, communication devices and other quality-of-life items for vulnerable adults.

"It’s a joy for our staff and volunteers to continue the tradition of distributing holiday stockings to vulnerable adults across the state," VAGAL SC Director Brenda Marchant said. "The smiles on their faces and their heartfelt appreciation truly brighten our season. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers and donors who make projects like this possible."

"The holiday stockings are just a small way to let people know they are not forgotten during this holiday season," Lisa Loesel, Chair of the SC Vulnerable Adult Fund Committee, said. "We are thankful for our volunteers, staff, and supporters who made these stockings a reality for us again this year. We look forward to even more stockings next year."

For Allendale County families and local caregivers, the shipments underscore the state’s role in providing interim care and moral support for adults in protective custody. Those who wish to support the program can make tax deductible donations payable to SC Department on Aging/VAGAL and mail contributions to Syeeda Gallman, Finance Director, SC Department on Aging, 1301 Gervais Street, Suite 350, Columbia, SC 29201. To learn more about volunteering or VAGAL SC, contact Mac McNeil at rmcneil@aging.sc.gov or 803-949-5293. Additional information is available at aging.sc.gov and getcaresc.com.