The Seniors Services Society of B.C. is hoping to bring some joy to local seniors this holiday season.
The New West-based society is once again offering its annual Santa for Seniors campaign for 2022.
“Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the Metro Vancouver’s homeless population. The demand and need for groceries, necessities, medications and housing navigation is high,” said a notice from the society. “We hope that our holiday gifts will bring some much needed cheer to those seniors with the highest need.”
Community members can help the society assist local seniors in a couple of ways.
The virtual annual Santa for Seniors campaign – the society’s largest annual fundraiser of the year – allows people to donate money to assist vulnerable seniors all year round. Donations can be made at www.seniorsservicessociety.ca/santaforseniors.
While going through some papers with her mom, the daughter of a 2021 recipient came across a card her mom had received as part of the 2021 Santa for Seniors. She wrote to the society to acknowledge the significance of the campaign.
“I figure you get a lot of accolades and appreciation at Christmastime, but perhaps February, while it feels impossibly late, is a good time to remind you that you make an enormous difference, not just for the seniors you serve, but also for the families who are doing their best to look out for their parents,” said the letter. “Put simply – you rock.”
In addition to the virtual Santa for Seniors campaign, folks can also support vulnerable, low-income, and isolated New Westminster seniors through a local program.
Christmas trees now set up at London Drugs (in Westminster Centre), Save-On-Foods (Sapperton) and Your Dollar Store With More (on Carnarvon Street, near the New Westminster SkyTrain station) have ornaments containing the name of senior’s wish list.
The society invites people who would like to donate in-person with a physical gift to visit one of those retail partners before Dec. 11 to support a local senior.
“People can then take those ornaments, purchase a suggested gift from the seniors’ wish list, and then return to the same store with the gift and the paper ornament to customer service or the designated gift collection area,” said a notice from the society.
The Seniors Services Society suggests a $50 value for the gifts for each senior. Candles and home-baked goods aren’t being accepted as gifts for safety precautions.
Along with supporting the campaign, the Seniors Services Society welcomes volunteer drivers (elves) for this year’s gift drive. Anyone who is interested in volunteering can email [email protected].
