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‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ kicks off
Hundreds of local volunteers, non-profit organizations, senior communities and Walgreens stores are joining forces once again to brighten the holidays for thousands of forgotten seniors in central Indiana, including Johnson, Shelby and Morgan counties, through “Be a Santa to a Senior.” Sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, the program provides gifts and companionship to isolated and lonely seniors.
Governor Mitch Daniels has joined the effort by proclaiming December “Be a Santa to a Senior” month in Indiana. “With the support of the governor, the community and our generous program partners, we’re confident we can hit that mark,” said Joyce Harrell, owner of the local Home Instead Senior Care office in Greenwood serving seniors in Johnson, Shelby and Morgan counties. “The program is about giving back to the older adults in our area who have given us so much.”
From Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 7, shoppers can select ornaments from “Be a Santa to a Senior” giving trees. The ornaments list the first name of a senior in need, along with gift requests.
Shoppers can then purchase items and return them to Walgreens check-out, along with the ornament. Home Instead Senior Care enlists community volunteers to gather, wrap and deliver the gifts. There are eight wrapping parties scheduled from Dec. 8 through Dec. 12. One will be held at Greenwood Village Towers, 278 Village Lane, Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Deliveries will take place between Dec. 8 and Dec. 19.
A national non-profit program, “Be a Santa to a Senior” is in its fifth year and has provided more than 930,000 gifts to nearly 570,000 seniors. In central Indiana, the goal is to gather 10,000 gifts for 6,500 seniors. Businesses, churches and organizations are encouraged to adopt groups of seniors. Anyone interested in volunteering for gift wrap or deliveries should call Home Instead Senior Care at 888-4300.
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