Clay County deputies came bearing gifts Monday for residents at an Orange Park senior care facility.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office delivered Christmas presents to seniors at Consulate Health Care at 1215 Kingsley Ave. as part of an annual event called Senior Santa.
"It was incredible," said deputy Christopher Padgett, who was especially touched by one resident's reaction to receiving her gifts.
"She actually got up and just hugged our necks. She started crying," he said. "She said, 'This is a bigger blessing than you could imagine.'"
A staff member later told deputies the woman has no family to visit her.
"Bringing her a Christmas she otherwise wouldn't have gotten is encouraging," Padgett said. "It's just a very encouraging time for us because a lot of times when we're called to a place, it's not always for a good reason."
Senior Santa is a collaboration with the organization Home Instead Senior Care, who assists seniors through the community. Home Instead Senior Care gathers the gifts from various donors, and the Clay County Sheriff's Office delivers the gifts to a facility chosen by the organization.
For information on Home Instead Senior Care, click here.
