Be a Santa to a Senior needs volunteers through Dec. 17
Many people may not know that 28 percent of people 65 or older live alone, according to AARP. Each year, these seniors have fewer family members and friends to provide company and care for them, which often can lead to social isolation. The holidays can be especially hard for those who are living independently and may feel lonely.
That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care Office serving Sussex, Kent and southern New Castle counties is inviting the community to come together to provide gifts and holiday cheer to seniors through its Be a Santa to a Senior program. In the 15 years since the program’s creation, more than 41,000 local seniors have received gifts.
“Be a Santa to a Senior helps bring comfort and a smile to many seniors. It shows them that people care about them and see them as an important part of the community,” said Robert Ware of the Dover Home Instead Senior Care office. “Social isolation is a concern among seniors, and the holidays often intensify feelings of distance and loneliness. When we deliver the gifts and spend some time with them, it makes a big difference.”
Be a Santa to a Senior is a true community program, getting generous support from area businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, volunteers and community members. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with the police and fire departments in Harrington, as well as many local businesses and organizations from Rehoboth, Dover, Smyrna and Harrington, and the Air Force to help with gift collection and distribution.
Anyone interested in helping can go to a participating location and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display until Monday, Dec. 17. Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring five desired gifts. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping; community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found locally at Cape Henlopen Senior Center, 11 Christian St., Rehoboth; County Bank, 19927 Shuttle Road, Rehoboth; and Outlet Liquors, 19724 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth.
For more information about the program, go to www.BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 302-697-6435, option 7. For more information about how to help seniors in isolation in the local community, go to www.imreadytocare.com.
