The annual "Be a Santa to a Senior" program hopes to give gifts and joy to thousands of elderly for the seventh year.
Since introducing the program six years ago, Home Instead Senior Care offices throughout America have provided 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 seniors.
But the program started with just one elderly woman.
In 2006, a group of volunteers went to a nursing facility and gave presents to the people living there.
One of them was an 87-year-old woman.
When they went back the next year, they noticed the only card on her bulletin board was the Be a Santa to a Senior card from the previous year.
They found out from caregivers at her facility that the "Be a Santa" Christmas card and gift were the only items she had received the entire year.
They then realized there were likely many more seniors like this woman and created the nationwide program to do something about it.
Since Home Instead has a presence here in the Tri-State, they take care of Christmas wish lists for seniors in our area too.
To help them reach as many as possible, you can figure out where the nearest "Be a Santa" tree is to you by using this finder tool.
Ornaments on the trees list the items the seniors are looking for. Many of them want what most of us would consider basic necessities like socks, toiletries and blankets.
That's what Home Instead franchise owner Stephen Bryson wants people to remember when they're feeling bombarded by charitable organizations and programs to support.
"When you think about it, a lot of the senior adults are veterans and community leaders and people who have in the past given so much to our community and to our country," Bryson says. "They've really given a lot to us and now I think this is a unique opportunity that we have to give back to them in their time of need."
Gifts should be returned to the store locations no later than December 17th.
Volunteers are also need for the wrapping party to bundle the gifts will take place at the President's Place December 22nd from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Since introducing the program six years ago, Home Instead Senior Care offices throughout America have provided 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 seniors.
But the program started with just one elderly woman.
In 2006, a group of volunteers went to a nursing facility and gave presents to the people living there.
One of them was an 87-year-old woman.
When they went back the next year, they noticed the only card on her bulletin board was the Be a Santa to a Senior card from the previous year.
They found out from caregivers at her facility that the "Be a Santa" Christmas card and gift were the only items she had received the entire year.
They then realized there were likely many more seniors like this woman and created the nationwide program to do something about it.
Since Home Instead has a presence here in the Tri-State, they take care of Christmas wish lists for seniors in our area too.
To help them reach as many as possible, you can figure out where the nearest "Be a Santa" tree is to you by using this finder tool.
Ornaments on the trees list the items the seniors are looking for. Many of them want what most of us would consider basic necessities like socks, toiletries and blankets.
That's what Home Instead franchise owner Stephen Bryson wants people to remember when they're feeling bombarded by charitable organizations and programs to support.
"When you think about it, a lot of the senior adults are veterans and community leaders and people who have in the past given so much to our community and to our country," Bryson says. "They've really given a lot to us and now I think this is a unique opportunity that we have to give back to them in their time of need."
Gifts should be returned to the store locations no later than December 17th.
Volunteers are also need for the wrapping party to bundle the gifts will take place at the President's Place December 22nd from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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