Be a Santa to a Senior, the campaign that last year delivered more than 420 gifts to local needy seniors, is being planned again this year during a time when seniors may need more of the bare necessities to survive.
The area office of the Home Instead Senior Care has joined with local senior care agencies and area retailers to provide presents to seniors who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season.
“Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of seniors in every community who have no family and are alone,” said Victor Erato, owner of the Home Instead office serving Racine County. “What’s more, this holiday season finds many older adults struggling with the basic necessities as the economic downturn continues and Social Security fails to keep pace with daily living expenses.”
The program isn’t just about gifts, though. It is designed to also help stimulate human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.
The program runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations identify needy and isolated seniors and provides their names to Home Instead for this program. Christmas trees, which will go up in selected stores, feature ornaments with the first names of the seniors and their respective gift requests.
Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament. Volunteers collect, wrap and distribute the gifts.
Ornaments are available from Central Bark, Coldwell Banker, Curves, JC’s Mufflers, Re/Max Newport Realty, Knueppel HealthCare Services, Lakeview Pharmacy, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Sew ‘n Save and Walgreen’s Douglas Avenue and Four Mile stores).
More information is available from Christine at the Home Instead Senior Care office at 598-0290. Businesses are encouraged to adopt groups of seniors.
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Does anybody know who is participating in this program and where we can get an ornament? Thanks
ReplyDeleteyes there are several places to pick up an ornament (starting on the 15 of November)Curves on Durand and Washington both host a tree. As well as Sew & Save, Lakeview Pharmacy, Walgreens on Douglas, Newport Realty, Knueppel...please call for more information regarding our participating merchants.
ReplyDelete598-0290
RE/MAX Newport at 1020 West Blvd will be participating once again this year! Please come by after the 2nd week of November to get a gift tag.
ReplyDeleteAre all these locations in the Racine area? Are there any programs like this in the Milwaukee area? I'd like to participate...
ReplyDeleteThe locations listed here are in Racine. The "Be a Santa to a Senior" program is also available in some Milwaukee areas and is run by Home Instead Senior Care. Call the Home Instead Senior Care Franklin office at 414/281-2273 and they should be able to tell you where the trees are located in Milwaukee County.
ReplyDeleteThese folks are just enjoying the remaining time of their life so give them comfort, joy and love while they're still there.
ReplyDelete