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'Santa to a Senior' volunteers sought

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF REPORT

Published: December 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - The tendency is to focus on the children at Christmas, and to make sure those who are less fortunate have a happy holiday. But it is also a time when many seniors can use some extra attention.

Home Instead Senior Care, an international network of locally owned franchises, provides services for seniors, from meal preparation and light housekeeping to respite care and companionship.

This time of year, Home Instead Health Care holds an annual "Be a Santa to a Senior" campaign.

"We see older adults who have no one during this festive season, and that makes for a very sad and lonely time," said Joy Cook, owner of the local Home Instead Senior Care office at 7716 Massachusetts Ave.

"Whether they are in a nursing home or in their own homes, where more are choosing to stay, it's important to reach out to isolated older adults during this special time of the year."

Participating local nonprofit organizations have identified cash-strapped, orphaned and isolated seniors in the community and have provided those names to Home Instead Senior Care.

Christmas wreaths and trees are on display at the Beall's Department Store, 7201 S.R. 54, and other business sites, featuring ornaments with the first names only of the seniors in need and their respective gift requests.

As holiday shoppers visit the various businesses, they are encouraged to pick one of the "Be a Santa" ornaments, buy items on the list and give them unwrapped to the store, along with the senior ornament attached. Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the volunteer help of its staff, senior-care business associates, nonprofit workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts to these seniors.

Suggested gift items include shawls, socks, sunglasses, decorative mobiles, small pillows, body lotion, cosmetic bags, picture frames, photo albums and hair ornaments. Other ideas can be books on tape, board games, phone cards, stamps and postage, afghans, greeting cards and DVDs.

"The 'Be a Santa to a Senior' program is an annual holiday tradition that is changing the way many view the needs of seniors during the holidays," Cook said. "We hope that the community will support our efforts as a way of giving back to the seniors in our area who have given us so much."

Along with encouraging shoppers to buy gifts, there is still time to volunteer to help with the collecting, wrapping and distribution. The program is open for more department store and merchant participation. Businesses are encouraged to contact Home Instead about adopting groups of seniors.

For more information on how to participate in the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program at any level or to learn more about services provided by Home Instead Senior Care, call 727-845-5819.

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