Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Sept. 29, 2025 – The UAMS Center on Aging Northeast is holding its second annual “Sock and Blanket Drive” for senior citizens in need for the upcoming holiday season across Northeast Arkansas.

Kaitlyn Weathers, UAMS Center on Aging Northeast Community Health Worker, said Monday they are trying to reach as many isolated senior citizens as they can for the upcoming Christmas season.

“Last year we were able to reach eight counties and give 323 senior citizens new blankets and socks. This year we’re trying to reach all 15 of the counties that we cover and hopefully double how many senior citizens that we can reach,” Weathers said. These counties include Craighead, Fulton, Sharp, Independent, Cleburne, White, Woodruff, Jackson, Cross, Poinsett, Mississippi, Lawrence, Randolph, Clay and Green Counties. 

She also noted that the non-profit organization provides several services to senior citizens and their caregivers such as classes, workshops, and exercise programs for Senior Citizens. These include education on healthy aging, Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

The sock and blanket drive, which began last week, will continue through November 18 at the following donation site locations:

• UAMS Center on Aging Northeast, located at 4508 S. Stadium, Ste. E-F, in Jonesboro. (There will not be a box set-up at this location, but they will be accepting donations.) 
• UAMS Regional Clinic, located at 311 East Matthews Ave. in Jonesboro.
• Southern Caregivers of Jonesboro, located at 2205 Race St. in Jonesboro.
• Cadence Bank, located at 700 S. Main St. and 2201 Fair Park Blvd. in Jonesboro.
• St. Bernards Senior Health Clinic, located at 303 E. Matthews. Ave., Ste. 202, in Jonesboro.
• St. Bernards Medical Center, located at 225 East Washington Ave. in Jonesboro. (Box will be placed in office at the end of the Quality Hall on first floor, two doors down from Respiratory office).
• Greenway Equipment, located at 800 Division Street in Blytheville.
• Lepanto Senior Life Center, located at 100 Stevens Square in Lepanto.
• River Road Pharmacy, located at 1740 US-61 in Osceola.

“I’m hoping to have all the donations passed out the week before Christmas with the last day on December 19,” Weathers said noting that they will deliver to senior centers, nursing homes, and assisted living centers. “We want to reach as many of those as possible, which I was able to reach at least one or two in the eight counties that we did last year, so I’m hoping to double that and reach at least two in all of our counties that we cover. It really just depends on the donations that we receive.”

While the group is trying to stick with the socks and blankets again this year, she said that they did receive some mittens and toboggans last year, which they also gave out.

“We did send them to an assisted living center in Poinsett County, so if someone does happen to donate something other than socks or blanket, it will get put to use,” Weathers said. She also noted that they cannot except any monetary donations per UAMS rules.

For more information about services, visit the UAMS Center on Aging Northeast-Jonesboro website.