The Seniors Services Society isn’t ready to pull the plug on a program that brought smiles to the faces of 242 local seniors last Christmas.
The society normally partners with a for-profit organization that does a lot of the work to make the program happen, but when it suddenly learned those services wouldn’t be provided this year the Seniors Services Society decided run the Santa for Seniors program on its own to ensure local seniors aren’t forgotten this Christmas.
“Right now we have 145 individuals on our list. That will likely increase as word starts to spread around,” said Kelly Friesen, supervisor of support services. “The Seniors Service Society serves a lot of isolated seniors, a lot of low-income seniors and a lot of seniors that for one reason or another are not connected with family anymore.”
For seniors whose families live out of town, don’t have children or siblings or have been widowed, Santa for Seniors brings a little holiday spirit into their lives at Christmas.
“It means they go without a little Christmas cheer,” Friesen said. “We want to make sure those isolated seniors are thought of and get a little something at Christmas.”
Christmas trees are set up at three locations in New West – London Drugs in Westminster Centre (555 Sixth St.); Your Dollar Store with More (811 Carnarvon St.); and the Save-On-Foods in Sapperton (#200-270 East Columbia St.). Trees will be in place until Dec. 21.
“Go to one of the stores, grab an ornament off the tree, shop for the suggestion and then leave the gift at customer service,” Friesen said. “We have volunteers ready in the wings to do the rest. They’ll take care of the bagging and wrapping, and also deliveries.”
Supporting a senior through the Santa for Seniors program isn’t an onerous task, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. A small gift and a Christmas card can go a long way to making a senior feel appreciated over the holidays.
“We are looking for Christmas treats, toiletries for men and women, toques, scarves, hats are big ones. Cookies, tea – something so you can have a little treat but your toes are also cozy,” Friesen said of some of the gift ideas. “The point is to make sure they are remembered. It doesn’t have to be lavish.”
The Seniors Services Society welcomes support for its Santa for Seniors program, but it also encourages community members to think of seniors they know over the holidays.
“The holiday can be a lonely time for people,” Friesen said. “If you have older neighbours that are more isolated, think about your neighbours.”
Year-round, the Seniors Services Society provides a range of services for seniors including Meals on Wheels, grocery shopping, support calls and tax clinics. Donation and volunteers are always welcome. To help, call 604-520-6621.
