‘Be a Santa’ for seniors
The magic of Christmas is often in the act of giving, especially to those who might otherwise be forgotten. And seniors living alone or in a community without a family close by might be among those not remembered with a gift at Christmas.
Home Instead Senior Care of Spring Hill is hoping no financially burdened or lonely senior is left out this holiday season as they launch their second annual Be a Santa to a Senior Program in Hernando County.
Similar to the Angel Tree program sponsored by the Salvation Army, Be a Santa to a Senior depends on generous participants who select an ornament tag from Christmas tree displays in various locations throughout the community. Gifts are then deposited at drop-off locations, unwrapped. They are picked up and brought to a wrapping party, then distributed to the recipients.
The program is already in the process of collecting the information on individuals who are determined in need of their support, submitted by various communities, churches, organizations and individuals who know a senior who would benefit.
Many of the recipients of the gifts will receive nothing else this holiday season, said Maureen Riser, owner of Home Instead Senior Care. And the requests are heartbreakingly simple: a pair of warm slippers, puzzle books or shaving cream.
Mona Herreid, sales leader at Forest Oaks Assisted Living Community, said some of her residents received seven or eight gifts last year. “The joy it brought to them, words couldn’t describe,” she said. “They made sure everyone had a gift to open.”
Those who benefited either had no family or were estranged, she added.
So many supporters turned out to make the program a success. And the wrapping party, which gathered volunteers and representatives from the various assisted-living communities at Notre Dame Interperochial School, had a blast wrapping hundreds of gifts. Businesses turned out with donations of cookies, candy and snacks to add some bonus trinkets.
“It was well organized,” said Herreid. And she encouraged anyone interested to help out a program that she said made a huge difference to her residents who realized someone cared.
Eileen Tenly, staff coordinator of Home Instead Senior Care, told a story of a senior who only wanted a year’s subscription to the newspaper. It was a little challenging setting it up, but his newspaper was delivered. “And he shares it with everyone!”
For information about how you can participate, contact Home Instead Senior Care at (352) 340-5900.
