ORANGE PARK – As isolation continues to impact local seniors, Home Instead of Orange Park launches the important Be a Santa to a Senior program to bring holiday cheer this season.
Be A Santa to …
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ORANGE PARK – As isolation continues to impact local seniors, Home Instead of Orange Park launches the important Be a Santa to a Senior program to bring holiday cheer this season.
Be A Santa to a Senior supports older adults who may be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holiday season. This is the 18th year for the local program which gives back to older adults and reminds them they are cherished by our community. The gifts collected, which are often necessity items such as toiletries, clothing and blankets, make a big impact and help area seniors combat the holiday blues.
“We’ve all experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, and seniors are at a particularly high risk for isolation,” said Betsy Miller, owner of the Home Instead office serving North and West Jacksonville and Clay County. “Be a Santa to a Senior shows the older adults in our community that they are valued and thought of during the holidays.”
This year, the Home Instead Orange Park office will be working with local organizations to provide gifts to about 150 seniors in the area.
Individuals can visit one of the participating locations listed below and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display through Dec. 15. Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and gift suggestions. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped to the store with the ornament attached.
Home Instead will collect monetary donations and retailer gift cards to purchase gifts which will be delivered to seniors who might otherwise be overlooked this year. Donations can be made through Home Instead Charities at https://www.beasantatoasenior.com/holiday-donation or mailed to Home Instead Charities at 13323 California St. Omaha, Nebraska, 68154. Donations to “Home Instead Charities” can also be mailed to Home Instead at 71 College Dr., Orange Park, 32065.
“A small act of kindness can make a big difference. And a heartfelt gift brightens the lives of older adults who may feel alone during the season,” said Miller. “Finding ways to care and support one another is important now more than ever and we are grateful for the community’s involvement.”
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:
• Home Instead, 71 College Dr., Orange Park.
• Whiteys Fish Camp, 2032 County Road 220, Fleming Island
Since the program’s inception 18 years ago, Be a Santa to a Senior has helped provide more than 2 million gifts to more than 750,000 seniors in North America and attracted upwards of 65,000 volunteers.
Gifts will be delivered to seniors in time for the holidays. Shoppers are encouraged to purchase as many gifts for seniors as they would like. If you have a passion for giving back and helping seniors, visit https://www.homeinstead.com/home-care-jobs to learn more about becoming a CAREGiver. From personal care and companionship to transportation and meal preparation, compassionate CAREGivers allow seniors to remain in their homes.
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com.