By: Sue Kramer
LAMBERTVILLE — Some “elves” have been tiptoeing around the Hibernia apartments on South Main Street recently.
They’re leaving notes that say there’s a cake in the kitchen, a tray of cheese and crackers in the refrigerator and otherwise tempting the residents of the senior citizen apartment complex to indulge themselves.
The culprits responsible for bringing the extra cheer and culinary delights to the apartments are The Hibernia Elves, none other than Hibernia residents Darlene LaRue, Ginny Zoldi, Betty Sharp, Frank Reilly and Ruth Lear.
The Elves banded together innocently enough when Combined Charities delivered platters of cold cuts, salads and other party foods at Christmas. The dedicated residents made sure each of the Hibernia’s 40 residents got to enjoy the treats.
Then, after a recent fund-raiser to benefit the A.H. Holcombe House (City Hall) renovation that was held at the Riverhorse Brewery, organizer John Hencheck found himself with some leftover cheeses that Lambertville Station owner Dan Whitaker had donated. Mr. Hencheck wanted someone to enjoy the untouched “leftovers” and thought about the residents of the Hibernia Apartments. He and his wife, Barbara, replated the food and dropped it off, and the Elves suddenly found themselves once again working together to distribute “goodies.”
“He delivered cheese platters with little veggies on it one evening,” Ms. Lear said. “The lady across the hall came running to me and said, ‘Ruth, what am I going to do? There’s a man down there with two cheese platters!’ ”
Ms. Lear said to put the platters in the refrigerator, and the next day she put one of the platters out for the Monday morning exercise class and set the other out for all to share at the evening meal.
“That’s how it got started,” Ms. Lear laughed.
Originally, the Elves numbered seven, which suggested the name The Seven Dwarfs. When one of the members suggested Elves as an alternative, the Hibernia Elves found they not only had a name, but a mission as well.
“Mr. Hencheck asked if we would be interested in accepting things like that, and I said ‘Yes,’” Ms. Lear continued. “Then, there was a fund-raiser for the Antiques Dealers Association of Bucks County. Bridge Street Antiques (in Lambertville) sent a dozen plants that they had on tables.”
The Elves put three of the plants downstairs for all to appreciate and gave the other nine to individual residents.
They also have been the recipients of cakes and other baked goods, unopened bags of chips, rolls, Styrofoam cups, paper plates and other useful items recently. In the case of donated baked goods, the Elves make sure a sign is posted by the elevator saying, “Please help yourself.”
When Combined Charities dropped off some Easter eggs, the Elves divided them up and put a package of eggs at each door.
The Elves make sure they send thank-you notes to show their appreciation.
The residents of the Hibernia Apartments aren’t the only ones who love the idea of groups or organizations donating untouched leftovers. Barbara Cohen, the owner of the Hibernia Apartments, is thrilled with her Elves.
“I think it’s wonderful that the Elves want to do this. I wish people in the Hibernia would do more for each other,” she said.
Mr. Reilly said it feels “pretty good” to be an elf.
“I think it’s a pretty good idea, and it seems to be working out good,” he said.
The Elves are requesting any group or organization that would like to think of them as members of an “extended guest list” call Ms. Lear at 397-5723 to arrange a time for delivery of the food. The Elves also ask that any food donated be properly refrigerated (no dips that have been sitting out on a table for hours) and delivered on non-returnable platters.
The Hibernia Apartments serves a Meals on Wheels lunch five days a week. Ms. Cohen said the meal service, which is available to any area senior citizen, begin about 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. The Link bus makes a stop at the apartments for anyone who has a transportation problem. A donation is requested for the meals.
“We have our own food program, seven days a week,” Ms. Cohen added, referring to the Hibernia’s “tenants only” evening meals.
