TAOA Christmas Program is Dec. 1

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As we head towards the end of the year with the holiday season looming, the Lemanu-Talauega Administration is continuing this year the Christmas gift presentation to elder citizens of the territory during the annual Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) Christmas Program set for Dec. 1, at the DYWA Center in Tafuna.

“One of the most impactful initiatives in which the Governor and Lieutenant Governor would like to continue is the gifts presentation to our elderly citizens during the annual Territorial Administration on Aging Christmas Program,” the Governor’s acting chief of staff, Kristi Thaxton wrote in a recent memo to cabinet members.

“Our senior citizens are grateful for the outpouring of gifts and they look forward to this event every year,” she said.

And it’s that time of the year again in the planning process of this important event. In ensuring that this year’s program “is memorable”, Thaxton informed cabinet directors that each authority, department, and agency is “asked to join this festive event by assisting with the gifts.”

Included with the memo, is a separate document outlining details and specifications of Christmas presents that will be gifted to all the senior citizens who will attend this event, which will kick-off at 7:30a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. And cabinet members are assigned a specific number of gifts to be provided along with the date and time to be dropped off at DYWA Center.

This year's Christmas Gift baskets will be standardized, and cabinet members were asked that all gift baskets are prepackaged and adhere to the standardized list — provided in a separate document — “so that all of our gift recipients have a positive experience with this program,” said Thaxton.

“All Directors are also asked to provide one special gift basket. Thank you very much for your continued support of this iconic annual event,” she concluded.

The Senior Citizen Christmas Program is one of the government’s annual programs highlighting the holiday season and honoring the territory’s elders, that was launched during the first-year of the previous Lolo Administration

And this program has been the highlight for many seniors who came together to share and enjoy the start of the holiday season. It’s also a personal chance for them to meet the governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet members who serves our elderly during the event. Seniors also have a chance to chat with the Executive Branch leaders.