Let’s talk about cooler weather. Or even cold weather. How about snow? Have you started thinking about your holiday plans yet?

Here at TARCOG, the holidays are top of mind for our aging and disabled populations because while the weather may be colder, the season can be lonely and depressing.

“That’s why we started our annual Winter Wishes,” said Medicaid Waiver Program Manager Melissa Brinkley. “TARCOG provides care to a growing caseload more than 1,000 clients and starting this month, TARCOG case managers are talking to clients about their needs and wants to create wish lists for those clients.

“While the majority of TARCOG’s clients are older, case managers who work with disabled clients may be working with infants, teens, and even middle-aged populations as well,” Melissa said.

This year, Melissa is putting out the word early that more sponsors will be needed this year to help fulfill the wishes.

“In this program, we ask interested sponsors to fill at least one of the wishes on a person’s list,” she said. “In the past, we’ve had amazing sponsors who have fulfilled every wish and then some. It is always a beautiful and uplifting time of year to see how giving our communities are to those who truly may not receive any other type of gift.”

Sponsors range from interested individuals to churches, social groups, clubs, neighborhoods, and more.

Anyone can be a sponsor, Melissa said. She encourages anyone interested in participating in Winter Wishes 2024 should contact Amber Millimaki at 256-830-0818 or amber.millimaki@tarcog.us