As seasonal holiday festivities begin, home care franchisor Home Instead encourages Clark County residents to participate in the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program and share joy by giving a gift to an older adult in the community who may not have anyone with whom to celebrate.
“The holidays can be hard for many older adults, especially those who may not have a companion to share them with,” Debi Friesz, home care consultant with the Vancouver Home Instead office, said in a press release. “Through ‘Be a Santa to a Senior,’ we can help these seniors experience the happiness and togetherness the season can bring.”
This year, program coordinators hope to collect 900 gifts for older adults in Clark County. Items such as slippers, pajamas, socks, lap blankets, puzzles, bath towels, cooking utensils, coffee mugs, boxed candy and more can be donated.
To participate, shoppers can look for “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees or displays at locations around the area. Ornaments that feature the name and desired gift of an older adult will be on display. Shoppers can buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped to the location with the ornament attached by Dec. 7. The gifts will be delivered to local older adults in time for the holidays, the release states.
“Gifts aside, the true value comes in the connection Be a Santa to a Senior makes between the community and our older neighbors,” Friesz said in the release.
“Be a Santa to a Senior” brings together the entire community, with support from local businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, volunteers and countless other community members. The Home Instead office serving Vancouver has also partnered with the Battle Ground Senior Citizens Center to assist with gift collection, this year.
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:
• Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver
• Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver
• Northwest Health & Safety, 6603 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver
• Life Force Chiropractic, 1825 SE 164th Ave., Suite #118, Vancouver
• RV Inn Style Resort Convention Center, 7607 NE 26th Ave., Vancouver
• The Hampton at Salmon Creek, 2305 NE 129th St., Vancouver
• Home Instead Office, 1412 NE 134th St., Suite #150, Vancouver
For more information visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com, or call 360-947-1910.
