A collaboration between Quinnipiac, the Hamden Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Council and the Town of Hamden, the 18th annual Hamden Senior Holiday Gift Run and luncheon brought joy to 100 local senior citizens.

Weeks in advance, Quinnipiac joined a community-wide collection effort to gather hundreds of useful items, snacks, games and winter sundries for the seniors. Quinnipiac also contributed the event’s collection boxes for organizations throughout Hamden. All gifts gathered across the community were used to stock 100 holiday gift bags for the seniors.

The bags were distributed after a hot meal on Friday.

Karla Natale, associate vice president for university events and community partnerships, represents Quinnipiac on the Health & Wellness Council. She said the Senior Holiday Gift Run may provide the only holiday gifts some seniors will receive, and the luncheon may be the only holiday gathering some seniors will experience. 

“We are spreading holiday cheer, and we are helping people,” Natale said. “It’s important for us to be an impactful part of the community.”

Hamden Senior Services coordinator Kim Craft said the seniors pay a nominal fee to attend and that tickets sell out in about 10 days.

“We have a lot of seniors who don’t have family close by, so this is their only holiday function that they participate in and they really look forward to it,” Craft said. “Quinnipiac is a huge part of it and we appreciate all the help that they provide us. We are thrilled to be able to continue it.”

Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett said Quinnipiac’s community presence and participation is always appreciated. 

“Our seniors are fantastic and they love this event,” she said. “They get here around 9:30 in the morning to make sure they get a good seat. They are so energetic. It's nice to have so many helping hands with an event like this.”

Hamden senior citizen Julie Rosenblum certainly enjoyed the event.

“It’s a chance for us to get out of the house, get dressed up and celebrate the holidays,” she said. “There’s so much congeniality. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”