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County commissioner
Clay's group to visit 14 area centers. By Leslie Jones McCloud, Post-Tribune correspondent MERRILLVILLE - The Christmas celebration started early on Christmas Eve for residents of the Northlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Residents gathered for the first of a series of gift-giving. This one was courtesy of Lake County Commissioner Rudy Clay. He gave away stuffed animals to at least 50 people at the center because he says the elderly and infirm are often forgotten during the holidays. "I got this thing," Jeraldine Fessenden said, holding up a miniature sea creature. When asked her age, she would only say that she was "old." "It's real nice. I'll save it and give it to one of the kids," she said, holding tightly to both it and her walker as she slowly made her way back to her room. But not every resident is old. "I'd rather be in Cancun, Mexico," Carlos M. Oyola said. He is being treated for sleep apnea and says he is grateful this Christmas just to be alive. "Tomorrow I'm going to my brother's house. This year I gave everyone cash," he said. Yearly, gifts and Christmas yule are distributed at the home, staff members said. "We got these at an extreme discount - someone's got to care so we care," Clay said. "I got a great feeling. This is our first year doing so many - (we did) 14 homes in Lake County," he said. Smiles graced the faces of area residents. They seemed happy to be remembered. A retired teacher and friend of Clay, John McCloud, helped by loading the gifts into hs truck and passing them out. "I'm just looking at it," resident Lucille Taylor said. She laid the stuffed Frankenstein across her lap and started to reminisce about past Christmases. "I've been sick for a long time, so I'm grateful for living," she said, remembering a fond Christmas when she was a little girl when she got two dolls. "They love stuff like this - they got too happy," activities director, Zanthia Miller said. "The staff here should get a blue ribbon because they don't do this because they get a lot of money, it's because they love the people," Clay said. Clay said he will also be at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, at 10 a.m. Saturday giving away toys to children. |
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Clay gives fundraiser to build more wheelchair ramps. Click here. | |||
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There is a change in the way lots can be disposed of. Click here. | |||
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Clay proposes using casino funds to pay property taxes for senior citizens. Click here. | |||
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Clay holds the "Toys for Kids that Santa Claus Forgot" program. Click here. | |||
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