Dealing with guardianship over aging citizens in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties keeps workers at Lutheran Services Florida busy year-round, and especially during the holiday season when resources for the year are strained and physical and emotional needs run especially high. We spoke with Christopher Card, chief operating officer for Lutheran Services Florida, about a drive going on through Dec. 10 for donations of cash, goods and time.

What is the primary service provided by Lutheran Services of Florida in Sarasota?  This program in the Sarasota program serves close to 200 individuals deemed by the courts as indigient, and they don't have a ready and available family member to assist them. The courts call upon Lutheran Services Florida to provide legal guarduanship, resources, living arrangements. We work with individuals to keep them active in the community is a safe and healthy environment. We have a contract with the state, but that only funds part of what we do. We serve many more clients than the state funds, so much of this is done through donations.

Why is the holiday season when you guys are engaged in this fundraising drive?  This time of year is hard for these folks. Our duty is to be able to help them with health services, and eventually in many cases take over management of their affairs. We have a lot of clients where once we are guardians, we are the guardians for the rest of their life.

Donations of gift cards, food, grooming supplies and cash can be made at 1748 Independence Blvd., Suite E4, Sarasota.